PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from December 29, 2015, through December 20, 2022. The Board increased the rating to 70%, but not higher, due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for mastectomy have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and any other acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes, congestive heart failure, renal kidney failure, hypertension, flat feet, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and alcohol use disorder), stomach ulcers, hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines. The reasons for remand include a lack of evidence regarding exposure to chemicals in service, the need to verify in-service stressors, and incomplete records from Dr. P. Weaver.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and secondary substance use disorders are granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a qualifying injury in service due to an in-service sexual assault, which led to her current psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent from September 27, 2018, to May 28, 2019. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's asthma is related to exposure to burn pits while serving in Saudi Arabia. The Board granted service connection for this condition, finding it meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU based solely on PTSD with recurrent MDD prior to February 29, 2016 was denied because the schedular criteria were not met. The Board has ordered a remand to attempt to obtain a private psychological evaluation from August 25, 2015.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of PTSD, anxiety, and depression as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, TBI, and DM due to new evidence received. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for GERD was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted, but the Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus raise a reasonable possibility of unemployability, but he does not meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU. The case is being remanded to determine if extraschedular TDIU consideration should be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, was denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's mental health conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his in-service trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD with mild alcohol use disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The TDIU claim was denied.

The case is being remanded due to the Veteran not being informed of a hearing and for compliance with contested claims procedures.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted service connection, but his PTSD claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings and TDIU due to PTSD and alcohol use disorder prior to January 16, 2020 is not yet resolved as there are additional issues of employability with a variety of symptoms and work dysfunctioning. These issues require further development.