PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board also remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 21, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need to obtain missing Vet Center treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD and low back disability have been granted with a 100% rating, effective July 23, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, while his low back disability was service-connected due to its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained a stable job for over two decades and his current symptoms are well-documented in his records. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent warranting a higher rating or total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds a new VA examination is needed to determine if his condition has worsened since the last evaluation in October 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional evidence and readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and PTSD, have been dismissed due to the failure to appeal the January 2021 Board decision.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for IBS as it was granted in a previous decision. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be related to his PTSD and thus not separate from his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, prior to June 1, 2018, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and sleep apnea as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for PTSD, HTN, ED, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 100 percent for PTSD prior to September 5, 2019, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and previous diagnoses. The Veteran is asked to provide additional details about his service experiences, including witnessing a fellow service member being decapitated by a gate and performing 'postmortem clean-up of corpses.' Additionally, VA treatment records from prior to 2006 are requested.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied a higher rating for the period from September 4, 2012 to January 28, 2019.,For the period after April 1, 2019, his condition was also denied a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD and Depression as there is no established diagnosis of these conditions during the current appeal period.

The Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, were found to be sufficient for a TDIU prior to May 10, 2017. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, these claims remain pending as they are still being evaluated by the Board.,The VA is remanding the cases for further development related to the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea, as these issues are inextricably intertwined. The Veteran is not entitled to a separate rating for his sleep apnea due to his service-connected PTSD.