PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection and rating determinations for various conditions, including loss of smell, migraine disability, left foot pes planus, PTSD with TBI, respiratory disability, popping of fingers, and back disability. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed back disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of evidence related to his PTSD, left shoulder condition, right hand disability, and cervical degenerative disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted, effective from the date of the March 2023 rating decision. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating in excess of 70 percent remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of November 6, 2015, for the award of service connection for allergic rhinitis status post septoplasty is granted.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbar strain with minimal arthritis and PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 12, 2017. Service connection for COPD is granted. The left knee disability evaluation is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating.,The Veteran also received a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from December 3, 2019 forward.,Prior to September 30, 2019, the Veteran was not granted an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to determine the severity of her PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD to include insomnia is granted at a 70 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to address the correct issue in the first instance, which was service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression and anxiety.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as related to his active service. The claims for bilateral hip conditions are remanded due to a failure to obtain potentially relevant private treatment records.

The Board has denied DIC benefits under both the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as there is no evidence to support entitlement to these benefits based on service connection or improper VA treatment. The case is remanded for further action regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for this condition, effective from the date of the July 2020 decision.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his PTSD disability rating from 100% to 70%, effective November 1, 2021, is dismissed as he remains in receipt of a 100% disability rating throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for a higher rating for tinnitus and for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. As such, these claims are dismissed.