PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various conditions related to PTSD, skin disorder, neck disorder, hand disorders, respiratory disorder, and left knee disorder have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the diagnosis and causation. A VA addendum opinion is needed to clarify whether the Veteran meets the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for PTSD, if so, whether it is related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), a lumbar spine disability, a respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and an eye disability are not supported by the evidence. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches were denied a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 15, 2023 and from May 15, 2023 onwards.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with TBI was granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent prior to July 29, 2023 but denied a higher rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the cases for further adjudication due to procedural issues and eligibility determinations related to attorney and agent fees.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 24, 2010 for the award of service connection for PTSD based on military sexual trauma (MST). This decision is based on the fact that the Veteran's original claim was pending at the time he submitted his July 26, 2016 claim.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and right knee condition are all granted service connection. The back condition is denied.,Service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and right knee condition has been established based on the in-service stressors and noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs to schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to PTSD, left knee injury, diabetes, bilateral cataracts, hearing loss, COPD, pneumonia, skin condition, and TBI. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 50 percent rating prior to February 16, 2023 and denied for an evaluation in excess of this. On or after February 16, 2023, the Veteran received a 70 percent evaluation which remains denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is granted at a 70 percent level, effective May 28, 2004. A TDIU is also granted as of the same date. The effective date for dependent's educational assistance (DEA) is also set to May 28, 2004.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, primarily anxiety disorder and PTSD, is rated at 50 percent prior to January 9, 2014, but the Board denied a higher rating in excess of 50 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are being reopened as they include new and material evidence.

The Veteran's SMC claim for aid and attendance is granted. The diabetes rating appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the spine) have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial employment consistent with his educational background and work history. Therefore, a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability for the period beginning August 22, 2008 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is supported by his in-service stressor and medical evidence.

The Board has granted the appeal regarding the timeliness of the substantive appeal to the June 2015 rating decision finding the Veteran sane at the time of service separation. The issue of the Veteran's sanity at the time of service will be addressed in a separate Board Legacy decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and referral for extra-schedular TDIU consideration prior to April 14, 2021. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied. The Veteran does not qualify for DEA benefits prior to his current effective date of March 25, 2019. SMC based on housebound criteria was granted as of that same date.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for basic eligibility to DEA benefits is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria at the time of his TDIU award and thus cannot qualify for DEA benefits prior to March 25, 2019.,SMC based on housebound criteria was granted as of March 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU prior to April 15, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more severe symptoms warranting a higher rating at any point during the period on appeal.