PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability due to missing VA examinations. The claim for service connection is being remanded.

The Veteran's mental disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective March 30, 2022. The ratings for migraine headaches, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee instability, and right knee instability are all denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), hyperlipidemia, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability in each case.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding SSA records that may contain relevant information for determining service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim in May 2016. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated those required for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not cause total occupational and social impairment warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss disability, hemorrhoids, hypertension, PTSD and bipolar disorder, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, knee strains, and pes cavus. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his dysthymic disorder and TDIU claims, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion on the onset of PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which may be associated with his Multiple Myeloma and Leukemia. The PTSD claim will also require additional evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service trauma.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremities are granted service connection as they are directly related to her active duty service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is also granted. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are linked to the Veteran's reported military sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, effective from the date VA received his claim for an increased rating in July 26, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including diagnosed PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder symptoms, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service stressful events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and unstable angina, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examinations in September 2018. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The claims for PTSD, kidney condition, and bladder condition were dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as symptoms may have increased since his last VA examination in May 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including providing the names and curriculum vitae of VA examiners who conducted relevant examinations.