PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and a TDIU prior to July 30, 2021 are being remanded due to the need to assess the competency of the VA examiner who provided an August 2021 opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, including outdated medical records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with updated information.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 12, 2014. The claim for TDIU based on PTSD alone is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the PTSD being related to his military service. The Veteran's CFS has not met the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Persian Gulf War exposure, but he is still considered for direct service connection based on in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was also denied for muscle and joint pain (fibromyalgia), as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition or clear etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a maximum of 100 percent, effective from the date of his claim for increase in June 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence supporting a connection between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and service-connected PTSD. The Veteran is invited to submit an opinion from a competent clinician applying the new article on potential mechanism.

The Veteran is granted a schedular TDIU effective July 18, 2016. The Board also referred the claim to the Director for extraschedular consideration prior to that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and insomnia are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric including PTSD and/or an unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder due to unresolved stressor verification issues.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, kidney disability, sleep disability, erectile dysfunction, pancreas disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the claimed conditions to active duty. The appellant's left knee, right knee, and left foot disabilities are all being reviewed, as well as her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, effective March 8, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The appellant is granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, effective March 8, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD caused total occupational and social impairment from July 15, 2019 to April 16, 2020. Prior to August 2, 2011, the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings for PTSD and sinusitis. The Veteran is also requested to provide any outstanding private medical records, including those from Dr. Porsha Jones at Grow Counseling and Ear, Nose, and Throat Institute.

The Veteran's heart disability, specifically coronary artery disease (CAD), is rated at 30 percent. Beginning February 28, 2018, the Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with mood disorder, MDD, and TBI prior to October 11, 2021, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for clarification on whether certain symptoms overlap between PTSD and TBI.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that there is insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for TBI disability was denied, and his PTSD disability is rated at various levels. The right shoulder disorder and OSA claims are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, schizoaffective personality disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder NOS, paranoid schizophrenia, and adjustment disorder with depressive features, is remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination as per the Board's February 2022 remand directives.