PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. Effective March 10, 2021, the Veteran is granted a TDIU rating of 100%.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide records from Dr. S., and a VA psychiatrist must conduct an examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD is dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, as well as his PTSD claim with an effective date prior to November 29, 2016, are remanded. His initial rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his employment history.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, migraines are rated at 50 percent from September 6, 2021 onwards, and he is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and related conditions are granted. The Board also dismissed the freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities prior to December 21, 2016 is determined to be 100 percent.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because his debt was forgiven in April 2020, and he received the benefit he sought - forgiveness of the overpayment of VA benefits during his period of incarceration.

The Board has dismissed the DIC claim as service connection for cause of death has been granted. The claims for accrued benefits, PTSD disability rating, and tinnitus service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, arthritis of the left and right hands, cervical spine condition, radiculopathy, hip conditions, and TDIU are being remanded due to new evidence received since the January 2020 SOC. The AOJ will consider this additional evidence in their first instance before deciding the cases.

The Veteran's hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), asthma, and unspecified heart disorder are all granted as they are presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide agent exposure.

An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective October 13, 2016. A TDIU is also granted from that date.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis, and remanded the issues related to an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied in December 2015. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches, including as secondary to service-connected PTSD, should be remanded for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's service records and the need for further verification of his claimed service from October 1975 to October 1978. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, but the authenticity of his claims must be verified.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues related to effective dates for PTSD, TDIU, and DEA.