PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 13, 2014. Her urge incontinence is rated at 60 percent effective September 25, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board also notes that entitlement to increased ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) prior to January 30, 2020 and thereafter are not granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was not rated higher than 50 percent prior to January 6, 2022. The claim for TDIU prior to that date also failed.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and related conditions are remanded due to missing service treatment records.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and thoracic/lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are also remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding in-service stressors and sexual abuse allegations. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, skin disability, tinnitus, and others, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from July 2, 2003 to July 25, 2007. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome, thoracic lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and / or right knee strain and iliotibial band friction is remanded due to inadequate examination and development of records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his periods of active duty and overseas service, particularly during his deployment in Southwest Asia. The claims will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, specific phobia (enclosed spaces), PTSD, and claustrophobia, is at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board also notes that several pieces of correspondence from VA were returned as undeliverable, indicating a need to verify the Veteran's current mailing address.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining updated medical records and Social Security Administration records. The Board also requests a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety, adjustment disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia/bipolar disorder, and chronic adjustment disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that his current mental health conditions are due to or aggravated by military service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for HIV are also remanded due to their inextricability with the remanded claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD and depressive disorder is denied, with a current rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease receives an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to new and material evidence received since the June 2009 rating decision. The case is remanded for further examination and determination of the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left thumb disability and PTSD (including bi-polar disorder) due to the Veteran's timely Notice of Disagreement. The AOJ is required to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The rating for PTSD remains denied.