PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 1, 2019. The rating was denied for a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and PFB. The claims for sleep apnea are remanded as well.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 30, 2014. The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis warrants a rating of 70 percent, also effective September 30, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD and TMJ dysfunction are service-connected, but his insomnia is not. The Board denied secondary service connection for TMJ dysfunction to PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and to include as secondary to his right knee disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current anxiety disorder is related to service stressors. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine if his anxiety disorder is at least as likely as not caused by in-service trauma.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The current evaluation of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to December 18, 2019. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient reasons and bases in the December 2018 decision.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's right hand disability (wrist) is currently rated at 10 percent based on painful motion, and no higher rating is granted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or dislocation of the semilunar cartilage.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for further development. His claim for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from May 28, 2019 due to his service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder. The Board also referred the issue of a TDIU prior to May 28, 2019 for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease (CAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are granted, with a 60% rating for CAD prior to April 13, 2012, and a 70% rating for PTSD since August 19, 2014. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development including verifying in-service stressors, obtaining updated treatment records, and providing a VA medical opinion on the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and procedural issues. The Veteran must provide additional evidence, including personnel records from his National Guard service, and undergo VA examinations to determine the nature of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have increased to a level that warrants a rating of 70 percent, effective February 20, 2015. The appeal is remanded for further consideration regarding the total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 26, 2014. The decision grants an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD, is reopened due to new and material evidence. Additional development is needed for the right ankle disability and any acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to PTSD, TBI, and GERD.,Service connection for a sleep disorder (OSA) is denied as there is no evidence of clinically significant OSA.