PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to service connection for various peripheral neuropathies, which have been remanded by the Board. The primary focus of this decision is on the evaluation and service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher initial rating of 40 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling since September 26, 2019, and he is granted special monthly compensation for housebound benefits. The issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the statutory housebound criteria being in effect.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating, effective prior to April 25, 2019.

Effective dates of October 26, 1978 have been granted for PTSD, TBI, cervical spine disability, right hip disabilities, and migraine headaches. Effective dates prior to February 14, 2011 have not been granted for loss of sense of smell, taste, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 100 percent for TBI with neurocognitive disorder, arachnoid cyst, and PTSD is dismissed. The claim for a compensable rating for the lumbar spine scar is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and the TDIU claim prior to that date were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent or 70 percent for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and after that date, respectively.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, right and left foot disabilities, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica. The appeals are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral foot conditions, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would have otherwise qualified him during the period from October 21, 2015 through October 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for disc desiccation/protrusion as it was granted in a March 2022 rating decision. The right foot disability and acquired psychiatric disability claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma from August 10, 2022. Service connection for the Veteran's asthma prior to this date is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with his military service. The claim for PTSD and IVDS remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and granted it, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim based on new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The appeal with respect to the Veteran's prostate disability is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for effective dates related to her PTSD service connection and rating. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, a back and/or cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and a right knee disorder due to various procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need to obtain relevant federal records from SSA, schedule VA examinations, and consider potential confusion caused by the Veteran's service-connected memory loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted TDIU prior to February 2, 2018.