PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's appeals for GERD, irritable colon syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD including a personality disorder, rectal bleeding, and a right testicular condition have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. Service connection for asthma pursuant to the PACT Act is also granted.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for back condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, plantar fasciitis, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 30 percent for the period from September 7, 2005, to June 17, 2020. The appeal is denied as his condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a compensable rating for hypertension due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with mild alcohol and cannabis use disorder has prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since July 13, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is granted a 50 percent rating, effective from March 21, 2002. The claim for total disability based on individual unemployability is also granted.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and a higher initial rating. The Board has determined that the claim must be remanded to correct a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective January 28, 2019. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted a 50 percent evaluation, resolving doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's skin disorder and PTSD were not granted service connection, and the rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current symptoms to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors.