PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and obesity, which are linked by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to conflicting evidence regarding its cause and nature. The Veteran's PTSD is considered secondary, but obesity is also a factor in causing his sleep apnea.

Service connection is granted for PTSD and depression with psychotic features. The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected. The low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and eye disorder are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to February 28, 2019 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable at any point during the appellate period, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's Migraine Headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 22, 2020 and granted. The compensable rating for Traumatic Brain Injury prior to January 22, 2020 is denied. The issue of TDIU has been raised.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are rated at 70 percent prior to April 29, 2021. Ratings for lumbosacral IVDS with radiculopathy have been granted but the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran developed any new psychiatric disability during service and whether it was caused or aggravated by his military service, as well as to determine if there is a clear and unmistakable aggravation of pre-existing mental health disorder prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of her PTSD prior to April 14, 2016 and on or after that date was denied. Her claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected nasal condition. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, and tinnitus due to new evidence showing an in-service injury. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 29, 2016 has been dismissed as the Board's previous decision is final.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, dermatophytosis (brittle nails), and a skin disorder (chloracne). The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder) and stroke residuals. TDIU is inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and his TDIU claim due to potential overlap between the issues. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician to address which psychiatric symptoms are attributable to service-connected PTSD versus non-service connected meningioma and frontal lobe encephalomalacia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for kidney disease and PTSD due to potential service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder as due to a stroke are found to meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and for obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD rating and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and updated VA treatment records.