PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, mood disorder due to a general medical condition, chronic pain syndrome with depressed mood, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including ADHD, MDD, PTSD, GAD, and bipolar disorder), alcohol abuse disorder, and substance abuse disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending with VA for further examination and review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen her claims for service connection for back disability, headache disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. However, these claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed features, is related to his in-service stressor involving combat activity while serving in Bosnia. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and a need for an addendum opinion on the etiology of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and neck muscle chronic pain and arthritis due to PTSD. The decision also mentions that attempts should be made to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors involving witnessing an injury to another serviceman during Boot Camp.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability. Service connection remains denied for right foot disability, skin condition, and stress (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left ear hearing loss, and bilateral eye disability. The claim for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 20, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and sinusitis have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has also been received to reopen the previously denied claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrists, bilateral pes planus, and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 1, 2013. Effective October 1, 2013, the criteria for a TDIU were met.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and PTSD are rated at a 70 percent disability rating since September 29, 2016. The decision also denied the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability prior to September 29, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective November 29, 2012. He also received a TDIU from February 20, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a respiratory condition, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding service treatment records and a more current examination is needed for both sleep apnea and TBI. The Veteran's OSA may be related to his obesity, but the relationship with PTSD needs further clarification. For TBI, a new examination is required as the most recent one is from almost 6 years ago.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and GERD due to insufficient retrospective opinions addressing relevant symptoms and their impact on personal relationships, as well as inconsistencies in reported symptoms. The Veteran is asked to provide all outstanding treatment records and a VA examination will be scheduled to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical records and stressor verification are needed.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a retrospective VA medical opinion for the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence from December 28, 2012 to January 4, 2017. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to April 25, 2022. The claim for a higher rating is denied.