PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and examination regarding service connection for PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claims will be further developed and examined in order to determine if there is a valid stressor event that can corroborate his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective March 27, 2018. The symptoms associated with the condition include anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, difficulty in establishing and maintaining work and social relationships, and obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective May 22, 2009. A TDIU is granted since June 5, 2009, and SMC is granted effective December 10, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not result in an inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension, knee conditions, hearing loss, mental health disorders, COPD and/or asthma, and sleep apnea. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records, verifying stressors, confirming exposure to asbestos, scheduling examinations for each condition, and determining the etiology of any diagnosed respiratory disorder and sleep disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional medical records and treatment information, including SSA records and VA/privately obtained mental health and heart disability records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for personality disorder is denied, but the Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is attributable to an in-service incident and grants service connection on a direct basis.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to service.,The Veteran's facial scars are not service-connected due to lack of a documented in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraines have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was granted as of January 1, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from December 3, 2018. The Board also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions were rated at 30 percent from April 29, 2010, to March 29, 2020. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were more likely caused by substance abuse rather than service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and scheduling an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates, service connection, and increased ratings have been denied.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea with hyperinflated lungs asthma, PTSD, GERD, and right shoulder strain on November 20, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not experience an in-service event or injury related to his current conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MST-related issues, due to insufficient evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to incomplete development of evidence as directed in a prior remand. The Veteran is required to undergo a mental status examination to determine if he has any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for service-connected PTSD and vitiligo due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.