PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's 70% rating for PTSD and MDD is restored, and she is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at July 26, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete records, inadequate examinations, and potential errors in the initial rating decisions. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence and VA treatment records, as well as obtain any vocational rehabilitation or Chapter 31 records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The AOJ should obtain a clarifying addendum from a qualified examiner.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the evidence does not show a level of impairment greater than Roman numeral designation I in both ears. The issues of service connection for other specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD secondary to left shoulder injury are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed due to their death, and no service connection decision was made.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to the Appellant's character of discharge, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and mental health history. The AOJ is required to obtain missing service treatment records and provide a VA examination to assess the Appellant's mental state at the time of his discharge from service and any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 13, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Board found no CUE in the March 2003 rating decision that denied service connection for personality disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and a heart condition has been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70% effective October 25, 2018 to June 10, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating or an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the case as there is no longer a case in controversy.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the August 2014 VA examination that diagnosed PTSD was found to be erroneous, and there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran's current diagnosis is unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and any other acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the validity of his claimed stressor.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, respiratory condition (Asthma), and right knee condition are remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examinations or nexus opinions.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, low back condition, respiratory condition (Asthma), and right knee condition are remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examinations or nexus opinions.,PTSD service connection is remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The Veteran has been provided with another VA examination, but no nexus opinion addressing the relationship between current major depressive disorder and service has been obtained.,The Veteran's claims for respiratory condition (Asthma) are remanded due to discrepancies between STRs regarding asthma history and the 2020 non-VA provider's opinion. The AOJ should obtain an addendum opinion to clarify whether the Veteran's current Asthma is related to service or pre-existed service.,The Veteran's claims for right knee condition are remanded as there was insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor. The 2020 non-VA provider provided a nexus opinion, but it did not address or reconcile the Veteran's history of chronic daily alcohol use which can have similar symptoms to TBI.,PTSD service connection is remanded due to insufficient verification of a contended in-service stressor and lack of adequate VA examination. The AOJ should obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran has a current TBI or residuals related thereto.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death, attributing it to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and cholecystectomy. The decision also moots any entitlement to Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) due to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his PTSD was dismissed because he withdrew the appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not productive of total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for PTSD, heart condition secondary to PTSD, and TDIU prior to May 18, 2022 due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information about employment history.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a proposed rating decrease for PTSD with depressive disorder and migraine headaches. The appeals are therefore dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a duty to assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.