PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration, and the RO must reschedule a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient development of his reported in-service stressors and exposure to herbicide agents. The claim must be further developed to verify these events.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the cause of death. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of her husband's death, which includes esophageal cancer, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD is remanded due to new symptoms and functional impairment reported since his last examination.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for PTSD and has remanded the issues of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the current VA examinations are inadequate and requires new examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, blood pressure disorder, and scars.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 19, 2017 for a 50 percent rating for service-connected PTSD is denied. The Veteran was previously granted service connection and a 10 percent initial rating for PTSD on May 1, 2009, but did not file a VA Form 9 within the required timeframe to perfect his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's PTSD caused or materially combined with his hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and if so, whether it contributed to his death. The examiner must provide rationale for their findings.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 30 percent for five or more painful scars has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and his TDIU claim have both been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all pending claims, including service connection and rating issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and development of records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed all the issues related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with MDD was restored to 100% effective January 1, 2019, as the evidence showed actual improvement in her condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The PTSD rating remains at 70 percent, but an earlier effective date of February 8, 2021 for TDIU and DEA benefits is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression and posttraumatic stress disorder is granted, with an evaluation of 50 percent effective December 5, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as they were considered to be at least equivalent to a 50% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and its relationship to service. The VA will need to provide a medical examination and opinion on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because he does not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran is not permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and assistance as a result of his service-connected conditions.