PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hip and foot disabilities, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, vision loss, hyperlipidemia, GERD, skin rashes, hand circulatory condition, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for chronic blood disorder in urine, penile dysfunction, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (previously claimed as irritable bowel dysfunction), acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and sleeping disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a TBI and acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD due to insufficient rationale in the May 2021 VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's TBI and TBI residuals. The claims are also associated with service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hand and foot frostbite residuals, as well as his PTSD with depression, are all found to be related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, are found to be related to his active service. The Board granted the claim based on a finding that reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating personal health-care services provided on a daily basis by a person who is licensed to provide such services. The Board has granted the increased SMC (r)(2) based on this need.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an increased rating for a back condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for depressive disorder, PTSD, and a headache condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, IBS, lumbosacral strain, right wrist sprain, deep vein thrombosis with residual pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and pulmonary vascular disease were all denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions and concluded that the evidence did not support service connection for any of them.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to September 23, 2014 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with MDD, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood was denied. The appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD with MDD, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability and an increased rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and requires further development, including obtaining updated medical records and completing additional evidentiary development for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the current diagnoses are related to a verified in-service psychological stressor.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several issues, including obtaining updated service treatment records and seeking opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD, knees, sleep apnea, and migraines. The TDIU issue remains inapplicable until all other claims are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, but the Board has decided to remand both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim due to incomplete information regarding his employment status during the appeal period.

The Board has denied requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for anxiety disorder, PTSD, and sleep apnea. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date prior to April 2, 2015, for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an April 2015 rating decision is dismissed without prejudice to refiling.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD). The appellant is eligible to receive accrued benefits up to $4,020.18 for expenses related to her mother's burial.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and conflicting medical opinions.