PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be due to his military service and granted as a direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar back disability with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for updated VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The case for ischemic heart disease, status-post coronary artery bypass graft, due to herbicide exposure is remanded for further development.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for right hip disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,New and material evidence having been submitted, the claim of entitlement to service connection for right hand disability is reopened, and to this extent only the appeal is granted.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability (fracture fragment of the right acromioclavicular joint) are remanded.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded.

The Veteran's respiratory disability (other than allergic rhinitis) and throat disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Joint pain, foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, fatigue with light headedness, eye disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and schizophrenia) are all pending further examination and/or opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and depression is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor, which is necessary for service connection of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from August 13, 2010, to March 13, 2016. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for this period.

The Board has determined that there was no substantial compliance with the August 2021 remand directives and thus, an additional remand is necessary to address the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD increased in severity on November 4, 2016. An effective date of November 4, 2016, but no earlier, is granted for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The dental disability claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's attorney requested additional treatment records, which were not provided in the original decision.

The Veteran's claim for recognition of a timely notice of disagreement is granted, as his request for an audit in April 2012 was considered a valid NOD regarding the withholding of retroactive benefits due to overpayment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 5, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent from that date. The effective date for service connection for PTSD is also remanded due to missing private medical records. A TDIU claim is considered as part of the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depression, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

Effective dates of May 6, 2015 are granted for the awards of service connection for tinnitus, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with labral tear including SLAP, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar affective disorder is granted. The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a skin condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for PTSD and a back condition. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his PTSD and diabetes mellitus did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.