PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD with sinus bradycardia are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings. The rating for scars on the right foot is denied.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD was granted at 50 percent prior to July 14, 2016. A higher rating of 70 percent or more is denied from that date onward.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective August 28, 2009. A TDIU is granted from that date. The claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the service connection for left elbow lateral epicondylitis (left elbow condition) as it was granted in an October 2023 rating decision. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided that the service connection for OSA should be remanded due to insufficient information regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated obesity, which in turn may have contributed to OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors from his time in Jordan, the Philippines, and Guam. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 5, 2023 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a 50 percent disability rating for the period prior to September 12, 2023. A higher rating is denied. The Veteran also receives TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's mental health conditions clearly and unmistakably preexisted service. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, PTSD, pulmonary lung nodule, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), lumbosacral strain and arthritis, sciatica, depressive disorder with anxious distress, and bruxism have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 1, 2022 for service connection of PTSD was granted. The appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is inextricably intertwined with the grant of the earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective prior to January 26, 2022. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 11, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. Effective from August 11, 2019, the TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran already has a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 30, 2011 to September 25, 2018. A TDIU due solely to service-connected PTSD is granted from March 30, 2011. The Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) from March 30, 2011. SMC benefits are granted from September 26, 2018.

The Veteran's left elbow skin graft scar was awarded an effective date of January 1, 1969. The right hip chondrocalcinosis (impaired extension) and bilateral hearing loss ratings were denied earlier than March 3, 2022. The PTSD rating remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI symptoms are manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, finding no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD with depressive disorder from May 29, 2018 forward is denied. The earlier effective date prior to May 29, 2018 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating is also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 20, 2017 due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted. However, the claim for PTSD is denied.