PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a rating for her lumbar spine disability, and a TDIU due to the need for additional development of evidence. The issues include obtaining an addendum opinion on the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and assessing her lumbar spine disability with associated neurological impairments.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a seizure disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected condition, finding that there was no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD or depression in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD and OSA have been granted service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran's OSA is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.,The Veteran's prostate cancer has been in remission during the period on appeal, with voiding dysfunction as the predominant residual. The current rating of 60 percent is the maximum for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to questions regarding whether the Veteran can be granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, given his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim for PTSD is also pending and will need further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, pre-existed service or were aggravated by military service. The VA examiner was asked to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder was granted a 50 percent disability rating from March 22, 2011 to October 26, 2022. A higher rating is denied after that date.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 1, 2012, based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC due to housebound status.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to exposure during the Persian Gulf War. The right elbow strain, thoracolumbar spine and sacroiliac joint arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, PTSD, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain are all granted with appropriate ratings. Service connection for chest condition with pain and palpitations is denied. Service connection for left hand spasm and right hand spasm is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a timely Notice of Disagreement filed by the Veteran, and will now address service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral knee condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea may be related to their service-connected PTSD, but more evidence is needed for a definitive conclusion.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a cognitive disorder due to a closed head injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability and the cause of death. The Veteran's claimed stressors are to be verified, as well as relevant medical records from September 2012. A VA medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service-connected conditions or other factors.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as related to service-connected prostate cancer.,The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, as well as whether obesity is an intermediate step in causing or aggravating the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened since his last VA examination in December 2017, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to military sexual trauma sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, as well as clarification of certain procedural matters. The issues include evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder, TBI residuals, low back disability, knee disabilities, right hand and finger disability, dermatitis, onychomycosis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sleep apnea, and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a new examination of his service-connected PTSD.