PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any identified psychiatric disability is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disability due to conflicting findings in previous examinations and new evidence presented during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus have been remanded due to incomplete or insufficient examination reports. The VA will schedule new examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service stressors. The RO must attempt to corroborate and verify the Veteran's alleged experiences, including those from 1974 at Fort Bliss, 1975/1976 in Germany during a tank qualification training course, and 1988 in Germany involving a rail head accident.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. However, the Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent prior to August 12, 2022.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and polysubstance use disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating may be warranted due to worsening symptoms. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his PTSD with mild neurocognitive disorder, SMC at the housebound rate, and DEA benefits. The claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD have been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted. However, the issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that the previous examinations and opinions were inadequate, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities and his other conditions. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment based on his educational and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is also being evaluated for its potential impact on his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran's knee DJD, left eye disorder, and hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, so his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to service, including his reported in-service symptoms of daytime tiredness and frequent awakenings. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records and may be scheduled for an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress is rated at 100 percent disabling as of August 4, 2022. The VA has remanded the issues regarding chest scar residuals for further review.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death from being hit by a car. The VA needs to obtain an opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder were found to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating for the period prior to March 9, 2021. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.,Service connection for alcohol abuse secondary to service-connected PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the most persuasive evidence demonstrates a link between the Veteran's alcohol dependence and his service-connected PTSD.