PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues including the evaluation for PTSD, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bilateral knee and hip conditions, and TDIU. The AOJ must review the newly added VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence of the severity of his condition over the past four and a half years. The Board will allow the Veteran to obtain and submit records from his private psychologist, Dr. K.L.U., or any other private practitioner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, are related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% for the entire increased rating period from October 17, 2018 through October 29, 2020. A TDIU was granted from October 17, 2018 through December 31, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to insufficient consideration of relevant VA treatment records, including one from July 2016 where the Veteran reported suicidal thoughts.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted as service connected due to a non-combat in-service stressor.

The Veteran's bladder cancer, including its residuals and voiding dysfunction following prostatectomy, is rated at 40 percent from January 11, 2022, to May 13, 2022. The Veteran's ED is rated as non-compensable since February 1, 2018. The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse is rated at 70 percent from November 15, 2018, to May 13, 2022. A TDIU is granted for the period between October 1, 2018, and May 13, 2019.

The Board has restored the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD to a 100% rating effective February 1, 2018, as the reduction was improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) at rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2), as his service-connected disabilities render him in need of a higher level of care without which he would require residential institutional care.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from October 2, 2015 to April 3, 2022.,The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder did not result in total occupational and social impairment at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied as the May 2009 denial was final and no new claims were submitted prior to the May 31, 2018 reopening of his previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors. The claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 70 percent, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD, depression and PTSD, as well as a higher disability rating for her lumbosacral strain with IVDS are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional evidentiary development due to a significant change in his employment status and the need to reassess whether he has an employment handicap or serious employment handicap.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as the reduction in VA disability compensation benefits during his period of incarceration was proper, and the debt created by overpayment of VA benefits during that period was valid. However, the Veteran received forgiveness of the debt on May 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and TBI residuals. The examiner is asked to provide a response considering the classified nature of USS Simon Lake's operations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, back disability, and any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and insomnia. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether there is additional disability resulting from a disease or injury that was superimposed upon the Veteran's personality disorder as a result of service.

An earlier effective date of May 31, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of an increased rating of 50 percent for service-connected migraines is granted. An earlier effective date of May 31, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for the service-connected left knee strain and patellofemoral syndrome is granted. As of May 31, 2015, a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.