PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and PTSD, as well as his low back disorder. The claims are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete information and records. The Veteran is asked to provide clarification of his employment periods and obtain any outstanding treatment records, particularly those related to PTSD prior to March 8, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability/and or PTSD, finding that his symptoms are related to his combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and alcohol dependence. The claim was reopened based on new and relevant evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is dismissed because the Veteran failed to report for a necessary VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to his failure to provide good cause for missing the scheduled examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error for an examination, and will consider whether any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found the severity, frequency, and duration of his PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating. For IBS, he was already receiving the highest schedular rating available under DC 7319. RLE radiculopathy and LLE radiculopathy were rated at 20% each, with no evidence of more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are being remanded due to errors in the initial review process, including incorrect unit designation and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MST due to a lack of a VA examination, as well as insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service personal assault. The Veteran is required to be provided with an examination by a clinician to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to military sexual trauma or other service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a diagnosed condition linked to an in-service assault, with the Veteran's consistent account of the event corroborated by VA records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, due to a personal assault during military service. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of a traumatic event and corroborating evidence from his fellow servicemember and sister.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% evaluation for the entire appeal period, and he is granted TDIU based on his PTSD. Effective June 3, 2016, he also receives SMC at the housebound rate due to additional disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 4, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is being remanded for another VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied an effective date prior to May 19, 2016, for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an August 2013 rating decision. The Veteran's claim was not found to contain CUE.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, cannabis, stimulant, opioid, and amphetamine use disorders was granted effective June 9, 2017. The Board found that the earliest possible date to award service connection is June 9, 2017, which is when the formal claim was received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. Service connection is established for the acquired psychiatric disorder, but not for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining state disability records and a VA examination. The issues of increased PTSD rating and TDIU are also in appellate status.