PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressor and the need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, as it is presumed to be related to military noise exposure during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were present or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as none of his disabilities qualify under the specific eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as it interferes with her ability to work in a structured environment while avoiding confrontations that may trigger her PTSD.

The Veteran's tension headaches are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder) are effective as of April 5, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and a TDIU determination due to procedural issues. The effective date of service connection remains July 14, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The decision also grants TDIU and SMC.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating. He also received a grant for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining an examination and addressing the severity of his cervical spine disability, which may affect both the increased rating claim and the effective date issue.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in January 2020 is inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to address whether OSA had its onset during service, if it is related to PTSD, and if it is aggravated by PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for any acquired psychiatric condition, including alcohol use disorder, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD due to further development being required.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has been increased to 50 percent, effective January 16, 2019. The right ankle disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 5, 2018 are both remanded due to the grant of service connection for PTSD with an effective date of June 26, 2012.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability effective March 9, 2022. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colitis was dismissed.,His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and he received a 70% rating for PTSD as of March 10, 2020.

The April 19, 2010 rating decision implicitly denied service connection for both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Anxiety Disorder. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted in December 2009.