PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and a psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and right ankle osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The appeals for the right and left knee disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and chronic bronchitis were denied, while the claim for GERD was partially granted with a 10% evaluation effective May 10, 2017. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (GERD) and others were not (PTSD and chronic bronchitis).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and a separate compensable rating for gastritis due to incomplete development and lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion of whether service-connected conditions aggravated the Veteran's obesity, which may have contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 16, 2012 to August 29, 2016. The claim is granted during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is denied as there is no credible evidence linking the conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are all granted service connection. The claims were initially denied in a November 2010 rating decision but have been reconsidered due to additional evidence obtained after that decision.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational and occupational background as a result of his service-connected disability. The Board has accordingly recharacterized the psychiatric claim as reflected on the title page.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with dysthymia and opioid dependence, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment on a schedular basis from November 14, 2011 to June 7, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently service-connected and rated at 70 percent disabling effective July 25, 2019. The Board has remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development. TDIU prior to July 25, 2019, on an extraschedular basis remains pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD with depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and insomnia is denied. Service connection for left shoulder bursitis is granted. The issue of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher prior to September 14, 2020. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated the symptoms associated with a 50 percent rating and resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent. The increased ratings for PTSD and otitis media are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 100 percent, effective July 11, 2016.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to its potential relationship with his service-connected PTSD. The case is sent back for an additional VA medical opinion regarding whether the sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by the PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to in-service stressors. The right wrist ganglion cyst claim is not before the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded.