PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and corroborating alleged stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease (ischemic), and an acquired psychiatric disability have been granted.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of hypertension began during active service and continued thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, as his symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of sleep apnea and bilateral knee condition are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective April 9, 2015. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted and effective from the same date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted a TDIU for PTSD prior to July 8, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including his in-service shooting incident and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he is also eligible for special monthly compensation due to his disabilities. The TDIU was granted effective from December 2, 2011, and the SMC housebound was granted effective from August 1, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 28, 2017, for his service connection for PTSD. The claim was reopened on February 28, 2017, and a diagnosis of PTSD conforming with DSM-5 criteria was established in May 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the proximate cause of his alcohol abuse disorder, which in turn caused a pancreatic disorder. The Board has granted service connection for chronic pancreatitis with tail lesion and awarded TDIU from February 1, 2010 to January 20, 2021 due to the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for a TDIU prior to December 14, 2020 due to inadequate evidence in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inconsistencies in her account of events and the need to determine if she was eligible for VA compensation based on an injury, including a trauma, during any portion of the period from September 1, 2015, to November 30, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal seeking to revise the March 30, 2000 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD is dismissed because he did not provide sufficient specificity in his motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current condition is traceable to his service in The Old Guard.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 70 percent, but the RO reduced it to 50 percent effective March 1, 2021. The Board has restored the 70 percent rating for PTSD as of March 1, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's lower back disability claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied as there are no significant changes in hearing thresholds shown in the records and the Veteran did not report any complaints of tinnitus until after military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there was no record of complaint or treatment for tinnitus during active service, and the Board finds that it is more likely related to post-military events.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim is denied as his current condition does not appear to be related to an in-service injury or disease. The remanded issues of bilateral shoulder conditions will impact this decision.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition and left shoulder condition claims are both remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU rating for PTSD was granted effective September 1, 2011. His increased diabetes rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for dysthymic disorder was received by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on July 3, 2008. The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to July 3, 2008, and denied entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the period prior to April 17, 2013, for dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70% evaluation, but TDIU is granted.