PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, kidney condition, headache disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and sleep apnea due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. Further development is needed to verify if herbicide agents were used at Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center while the Veteran was stationed there from February 1969 to December 1969.

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia have been rated at 50% prior to June 11, 2021, and increased to 70% thereafter. The claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. A TDIU determination has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his service. The VA is requested to provide a further opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and its aggravation by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment have more nearly approximated reduced reliability and productivity, but not deficiencies in most areas. The claim for an increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The current VA examination did not consider all relevant evidence of record and provided mixed conclusions.

The Veteran's TBI residuals prior to March 20, 2020 were only rated for tinnitus and headaches. From March 20, 2020 to February 8, 2022, he was granted a separate noncompensable evaluation for his TBI residuals. Since February 8, 2022, the Veteran is entitled to a separate 40 percent evaluation for his TBI. The PTSD disability remains at 70 percent from March 20, 2020 to March 8, 2021 and was remanded for further review.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD from August 31, 2016, effective as of that date. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for Major Depressive Disorder are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his diagnoses and additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a neck condition, and headaches will be addressed on remand.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30% and 50%. The Board has determined that a TDIU on an extraschedular basis may be warranted due to the severity of his PTSD, but needs further evidence from VA and private sources. The matter is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied, as his PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD was granted.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues include PTSD, depression, low back disability, left knee disability, polymyalgia, DVT of the legs, pulmonary embolism, and hernia.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 26, 2017 was rated at 30 percent and from that date up to the present is rated at 50 percent. Both ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection and increased rating for various conditions, as well as the issue of whether the appellant's bad conduct discharge is a bar to VA benefits. The character of discharge issue must be addressed first.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all diagnoses during the appeal period.,Service connection for bilateral knee disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering in-service stressors and current symptoms.,Service connection for bilateral hip disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination considering in-service stressors and current symptoms.,Service connection for back disability is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, specifically to obtain records from the VA Vet Center. The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right thumb condition results in limited gripping, which is currently rated at 30%. The Board has granted this rating. However, the Veteran also seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD claimed as secondary to his right thumb condition and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his right thumb condition. These issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disabilities other than obsessive-compulsive disorder identified during the appeal period, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Veteran's service-connected obsessive-compulsive disorder may be considered in determining whether these conditions are proximately due or caused by his service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. The RO must review these records before issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).