PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are both remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence in favor of a link between his current PTSD and the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder have been granted a 70 percent rating since December 9, 2011. A higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to technical noncompliance with a previous remand directive and the need for clarification of the Veteran's employability assessment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service stressors and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to his in-service stressor, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been rated, but the increased ratings requested are denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% since November 1, 2012, while his bilateral hearing loss was previously rated at 30%, with a subsequent increase to 70% effective June 11, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence to verify his in-service stressors. The Board requests additional records and will consider new evidence if found.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 2010, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's death claim, as well as claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite and PTSD. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's stressor history needs to be verified, and his mental health treatment records need to be obtained from VA and Social Security Administration.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD showed sustained improvement and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The reduction of his PTSD rating from 70% to 50% was proper.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% for the entire appeal period, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for PTSD and anxiety, and the Board dismissed claims for low back disability, increased ratings for knee disabilities, and a compensable rating for insomnia disorder. The deviated septum claim is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent evaluation, which represents an increase from the previous 50 percent rating. The decision grants this increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether his service-connected conditions cause or aggravate his weight gain and obesity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back strain, TBI, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 28, 2015, at St. Peter's Hospital was denied because the VA facility (Fort Harrison Emergency Room) was feasibly available and prior authorization was not obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, and found that the Veteran's current mental health issues are at least as likely as not related to her military sexual trauma during service. The appeal regarding TDIU is being remanded.