PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 29, 2017. A higher rating for PTSD prior to this date is denied.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is granted for posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol abuse disorder.,The claim for service connection for right facial Bell's Palsy is remanded.,The claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10% prior to February 12, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD in this period.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, a bilateral foot disability, a stomach disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and back and right knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted after the Veteran's hearing.

The Board has ordered additional development to clarify the Veteran's work history and earnings, as well as his ability to secure and follow employment due to PTSD. The issues of TDIU, increased rating for PTSD, and effective date for the PTSD rating are remanded.

The Veteran's GERD and IBS are granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. His PTSD is denied, and MDD is also denied. A rating of 100 percent for the psychiatric condition is granted from March 11, 2019.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for PTSD. His bilateral foot pain is also found to be incurred during service. The Veteran's TBI remains in dispute due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back disability, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus secondary to CAD, chronic fatigue and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in addressing whether the Veteran is entitled to higher ratings for his PTSD and bilateral dry eye syndrome, as well as failing to discuss the adequacy of VA examination reports. The Board must make reasonable efforts to obtain any outstanding treatment records from St. Augustine CBOC.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further development regarding ionizing radiation exposure and herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, during the appeal period. The symptoms include depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, nightmares, chronic sleep impairment, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, hypervigilance, avoidant behavior, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, disturbances of motivation and mood, and passive suicidal ideation.

A rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 1, 2019 is granted. A rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as of July 18, 2016, and prior to September 22, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depression are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors. The claim for sleep apnea is also being remanded.,A VA examination will be conducted to confirm the diagnoses and determine if there is a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, and for further development regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination and etiology opinion. The request to reopen the claim was granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, should be remanded for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to June 20, 2019, but granted service connection and remanded the issue of TBI with PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his PTSD was dismissed because he requested to withdraw the appeal prior to a decision being made.