PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to new evidence, lack of a nexus opinion, and need for additional examinations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral conjunctivitis, hemorrhoids, and hyperparathyroidism.

The Veteran's mental health disability, which includes PTSD, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and insomnia, was restored to a 100% evaluation effective from November 1, 2017. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with service connection, requiring further evidence such as ship logs and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran has additional acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, and to determine if there is a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence and a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, residual of right shoulder contusion. The appeal was dismissed for PTSD and remanded for further evaluation on issues including left arm disability, COPD, and headaches.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Disorder, finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, anxious distress, and alcohol abuse are remanded. The claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disability claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from July 15, 2014 to September 25, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder with depressed features is granted. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has granted a 70% rating for PTSD, but the case is remanded for further evaluation of hypertension and service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and notice provided were inadequate, and thus remanding both issues of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his OSA began during service or was related to an in-service injury.,The effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD is set at September 23, 2010, which is when the Veteran's request to reopen his claim was received by VA.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he had multiple service-connected disabilities (PTSD and diabetes mellitus) but did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on these conditions alone.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation, including a review of in-service stressors and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 1, 1985. An effective date of December 1, 1985 is granted for the award of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the appellant's character of discharge and his claim for insanity at the time of committing offenses.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a cognitive disorder are REMANDED. The Board found insufficient evidence to grant the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for liver disorder, to include hepatitis C. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on a secondary basis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and low back disorder are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the September 2021 decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective February 26, 2018. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted effective February 26, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating for the period prior to August 31, 2021.