PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to August 17, 2021, finding that the Veteran's symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and updating the Veteran's employment history.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and schizophrenia. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors in Cambodia during his reserve service and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and potential need for additional private treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of back injury has been granted. The cases are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing opinions on the etiology of the conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates related to PTSD with TBI, migraine headaches, and left hip atrophy with scars have been dismissed.,An appeal seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of left hip atrophy with scars has also been dismissed as moot due to the pending increased rating claims.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings related to IVDS prior to January 31, 2012 and migraine headaches have also been dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The claim for a higher rating in excess of 70 percent from March 7, 2018, remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and panic disorder is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period from October 29, 2012, through July 4, 2017. Additionally, he is granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate during this same period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and his TDIU claim have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment, and also concluded that he was capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his early-onset peripheral neuropathy. The TDIU claim must also be remanded to obtain relevant employment verification.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a chronic psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, an alcohol-related disorder secondary to PTSD and bipolar disorder, and a left foot disability has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, OCD, ADHD, intellectual disability, and narcissistic personality disorder due to a lack of VA examination and treatment records. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound health at entry into service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and headaches were denied, but the claim for dizziness was reopened. The PTSD claim was also reopened.,The Veteran's left ring finger disability rating was restored to 10 percent effective November 1, 2018. Service connection for Meniere's syndrome and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is granted as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating, and thus her claim for a higher evaluation was denied. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have such a condition related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims are being remanded for further development due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records. The issues will be reconsidered by the AOJ, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) will be provided.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD prior to September 28, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the severity and frequency of his PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating higher than 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or pre-existed service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for the Veteran's conditions, including skin cancer and chloracne secondary to Agent Orange exposure, as well as PTSD and bilateral hand and finger arthritis due to fractures. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.