PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder for the one-year appeal period prior to his non-initial rating claim remains at issue. The Board finds that an increased rating does not constitute a full grant of benefits sought on appeal and thus, this matter must be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from September 2, 2009. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for left-ear hearing loss and right-ear hearing loss have been granted. Claims for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and acquired mental disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence that his current symptoms are caused by an in-service stressor or any other incident of active service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded due to the need to verify a reported in-service stressor.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of PTSD service connection due to withdrawal by the appellant. The sleep apnea claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his disability. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death was due to blunt force injuries, and they have requested an addendum opinion from a VA psychiatrist or psychologist regarding whether PTSD contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of specific facts during the appeal process, including a chest pain incident and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left knee strain with degenerative arthritis are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are restored to a 10 percent rating effective July 6, 2021. The initial PTSD rating is granted at 70 percent prior to September 24, 2019 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100% evaluation. The claim for TDIU is moot as he is already receiving a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include headaches, is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for pulmonary nodules and kidney stones have been dismissed. The claims of service connection for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, PVD of the right and left lower extremities, PTSD, and OSA are all granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ED and PTSD with Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood were denied. The cervical spine, RUE radiculopathy, LUE radiculopathy, thoracolumbar spine disorder, hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, and left shoulder disorder claims were remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to vacate the May 16, 2023 decision denying an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU. The Veteran is now in receipt of TDIU from May 01, 2012, due to his service-connected PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, and his right forearm flexion disability remains at a 10% rating. The TDIU issue related to the right forearm supination and pronation is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective December 27, 2006. The decision also grants basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status as of the same date.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of service connection for COPD was withdrawn during the May 2022 hearing.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD. The Board has remanded the case to obtain outstanding VA treatment records from March 2012 to the present.