PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with TBI residuals require the aid and attendance of another person without which he would need hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential institutional care. The Board granted SMC(t) effective September 28, 2021.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of post-traumatic stress disorder, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and a skin disability due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of thoracolumbar strain, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and PTSD with major depressive disorder (MDD) have been denied. The most recent evaluation for thoracolumbar strain is 40 percent disabling, while the other conditions remain at their initial evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to April 13, 2022, for service connection for PTSD. The decision found that the earliest date for the Veteran's PTSD is April 13, 2022, and that neither the Veteran nor his representative have argued a clear and unmistakable error (CUE) occurred in any prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's request for higher-level review of his claims was timely filed. The AOJ must now review the underlying claims and provide a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a predecisional duty to assist error regarding TDIU. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not properly developed and adjudicated by the RO, so they need to request necessary documents from the Social Security Administration and send the Veteran an application form.

The appeal for revisions of VA rating decisions on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to grant service connection for PTSD and a left ear injury is dismissed. The AOJ has not yet addressed these theories.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining relevant treatment records and verifying a claimed stressor event. The Veteran's current non-PTSD psychiatric conditions are also being evaluated for their relationship to service.

Your claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted in a previous decision, so there is no remaining question to be decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, has been reopened and granted. The claims for a compensable disability rating for the residual(s) of amputation of the left ring finger and initial compensable evaluation for scarring of the left ring finger are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The appeal for severance of service connection for Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depression is granted. The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Substance Abuse Disorder, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressor (MST) and thus no basis for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 29, 2017, for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied as there was no increase in severity within the one-year period before filing the claim.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status is denied due to lack of a qualifying disability and inability to work due to multiple service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending as his current VA medical records are needed for an accurate assessment.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left hip limitation of flexion is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD based on an in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for other trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his mental condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hypertensive heart disease, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal to increase the rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a right knee disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is presumed credible regarding his statements about the onset and persistence of his symptoms. VA treatment records show a diagnosis of knee arthralgia. An examination is needed to clarify the diagnoses and their etiology.