PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided that there may be relevant VA treatment records and SSA records that have not been reviewed, which could affect the decision. The case is being sent back to get these records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, GERD (claimed as esophageal erosions), and PTSD have been granted. The claim for a heart disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for new evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for facial nerve paralysis and entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of July 9, 2012. The appeal for a higher rating is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and allergic rhinitis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a medical opinion linking his rhinitis to environmental exposure during deployment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from September 28, 2015 to November 11, 2015. The Board has found that the evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to PTSD symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and impaired impulse control.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD substantially contributed to his death by falling from a roof, and the Board has granted service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 18, 2015 is remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The AOJ must verify the date of last full-time employment and schedule a VA examination to assess functional impairment from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in the August 2004 rating decision, and no new and material evidence has been received since then.,The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened due to the submission of a September 2017 VA examination report showing a diagnosis of bilateral knee strain. The Veteran's testimony at the March 2022 Board hearing supports this finding.,Service connection for hypertension, chest pain, and heart condition has not been established as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or post-service continuity of symptoms. Service connection for PTSD was granted with a rating of 50 percent but without an effective date prior to July 18, 2017.,Service connection for metatarsalgia status post fracture in both feet and right leg radiculopathy have been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to service or the Veteran's current symptoms. Service connection for left shoulder condition, sinus condition, sleep apnea, digestive condition (including GERD), and back condition has also not been established.,The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral knee conditions, metatarsalgia status post fracture in both feet, and PTSD. The Veteran's testimony supported these findings.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to posttraumatic tension type headaches, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for endometritis is dismissed. The Veteran's claim of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and service connection for colitis, to include irritable bowel syndrome and cryptitis are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim, including verification of in-service stressors and a psychiatric evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 70 percent effective May 10, 2017. However, the appeal for a higher rating remains pending and requires further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder is reopened. The Veteran's PTSD and respiratory disorders are remanded for further evaluation, including an examination and addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bruxism associated with PTSD right upper extremity CTS have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for a higher rating for PTSD, service connection for allergies, low back condition, joint pains (fibromyalgia), and high blood pressure has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in October 2007, and no new evidence or a reopened claim was submitted within one year. The effective date of the award is set at November 15, 2016.