PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining updated VA treatment records and for obtaining records from the Vet Center in Chicago Heights, IL. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PSTD and entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted. Service connection for PTSD is also granted, and both right hip condition and left hip condition are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from August 10, 2009, to July 24, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and verification of in-service stressors, as well as obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but total occupational and social impairment is not shown. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU benefits based on his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD. The decision does not address any other conditions or theories of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total social and occupational impairment. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.,From March 25, 2010, the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU are approximated.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, including recent mental health treatment from the Saginaw VAMC. A more contemporaneous examination of his service-connected PTSD is also required.

The Board has remanded the claims for a respiratory disability and PTSD due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal from the legacy appeals process.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective December 8, 2011. The issue of entitlement to a higher disability rating for PTSD prior to December 8, 2011 is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran's arthritis, fatigue, respiratory disorder, sinusitis, penile implant, gall bladder removal, skin disorder, and digestive disorder appeals were dismissed.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is granted as service connection due to a finding of reasonable doubt in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded due to the need to verify stressors and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for COPD is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to asbestos and obtain a VA examination.,Service connection for polycythemia vera is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to verify exposure to ionizing radiation and obtain a dose estimate.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy secondary to diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need to determine if in-service hypoglycemia was an early manifestation or sign of pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the appellant's appeal, finding that his character of discharge from military service is no longer a bar to receiving VA benefits. As a result, he is now eligible for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. His initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis prior to April 17, 2013, and his rating of 40 percent or higher from that date onwards were also denied. However, he received separate compensable ratings (10%) for left knee symptomatic semilunar cartilage prior to October 19, 2010, and for left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding the impact of the Veteran's past hallucinations and suicidal ideation on her functioning during the period prior to October 29, 2016. The Veteran is required to provide a clear statement of her hallucinations over the claim period, and a new examination must be conducted by an examiner other than those who previously examined or provided opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression, due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and the absence of evidence linking current diagnoses to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The claim for COPD was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran before a decision could be made. The claim for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent until November 14, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, for PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are all remanded due to incomplete STRs, need for additional medical opinions, and the possibility of worsening symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders did not begin during service or are otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.