PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event or stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine strain, and/or tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.,Left ear hearing loss has been granted but no compensable disability rating assigned yet. The issue of right ear hearing loss remains unresolved.,New evidence must be considered to determine if it warrants reopening the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development regarding PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), GERD, OSA, and fibromyalgia are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, dysthymic disorder, mood disorder, and alcohol use disorder in remission, are found to be related to his active duty service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and sleep and mood disorders is denied. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for right and left fallen arches and heel pain, right and left plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, sinusitis, and acid reflux (GERD).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling from March 13, 2017 to April 2, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence being added to the claims file after an August 2020 rating decision. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD will be reconsidered with this additional information.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD was granted. The claims for major depressive disorder, bilateral dry eye syndrome and chalazion of the left lower lid, and osteoarthritis of bilateral knees were also reopened.,Service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome and chalazion of the left lower lid is granted as secondary to service-connected blepharitis. Service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral knees remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address the nature and etiology of current psychiatric diagnoses, including whether any are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board dismissed all the appeals as they are related to deceased Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records, unverified in-service stressors, and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable for the period prior to April 12, 2017. As of April 12, 2017, his combined rating was 100%, and he is in receipt of special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the claims for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been denied. The evidence does not show that the Veteran exhibits occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.