PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and a need for further development, including obtaining relevant VA or private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD, both effective June 16, 2020.,An earlier effective date of March 20, 2006, is granted for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are granted service connection, but his sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's eye condition is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran did not meet criteria for PTSD under DSM-5, and his diabetes was not incurred during service.,Bilateral hearing loss has been assigned the maximum schedular rating (0 percent) due to Level II and I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is related to his service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in social and occupational impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 5, 2020 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected heart condition and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with Generalized Anxiety Disorder is rated at 50 percent disabling, resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective October 24, 2013 due to his service-connected PTSD and related disabilities. The right knee and spine conditions are rated at 20% each.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination as required by law.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and depression. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are linked to the Veteran's reported near miss accident involving an aircraft and witnessing another plane fail to launch without recovery during his service on the USS Oriskany.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no evidence linking his current diagnosis to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's low back condition, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (right ankle condition), and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial rating of 20 percent for his right ankle condition with no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression. The VA must provide a medical examination to determine if the Veteran meets the DSM criteria for PTSD and whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for sleep apnea, fatigue with weakness as due to undiagnosed illness, posttraumatic stress disorder and moderate recurrent major depressive disorder, and left foot hallux valgus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and potential miscommunication regarding the in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a focus on all relevant acquired psychiatric disorders, including 'other unspecified depressive disorder', and the name of his fellow soldier who allegedly shot himself.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating increase in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied as the Notice of Disagreement was untimely and did not comply with the requirements of the modernized appeals review system.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 1, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and dismissed the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD. The Veteran's TDIU was granted, making his claim moot.