PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and for a compensable disability rating for early bilateral eye cataracts. Additional VA medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current diagnoses.

The Veteran's initial 100% rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted during the period prior to April 27, 2017.,The Veteran's increased ratings for CAD are denied from April 27, 2017 to November 13, 2021.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse in remission prior to November 28, 2017, finding that the severity level of his psychiatric disability warranted no more than the currently assigned 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with painful motion of thumb and 5th metacarpal, right hand is denied.,Service connection for sinusitis has been granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.,Claims for service connection for a right leg disability and left leg disability are dismissed as they have been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis and need for further examination.,Service connection for dermatitis and rosacea is remanded due to need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service, including exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressor. The Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected as it is based on an unverified event, and his unspecified depressive disorder cannot be linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) with his private and VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete information and outstanding VA medical records. The AOJ is instructed to request updated employment history from the Veteran, obtain any relevant treatment records, and readjudicate the case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically whether they are related to his in-service stressor. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those for PTSD, right knee instability, left knee instability, and a higher rating for chondromalacia patella.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hypertension do not prevent them from securing or maintaining gainful employment, as their education, skills, and training are sufficient to support a full-time job.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to December 17, 2019. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for a right ankle disability and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected retinopathy is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, but a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 23, 2019, remains denied. The Veteran received an increased 30 percent rating for IBS with diverticulitis effective May 11, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to cause or aggravate his obstructive sleep apnea. His PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 50 percent, and he has been granted TDIU status since November 1, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating effective from December 9, 2021. The Board found that the evidence showed occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as chronic sleep impairment, depressed mood, suspiciousness, impaired judgment, and disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors, which are necessary for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not singly render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation before June 24, 2020. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU based on his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU ratings due to insufficient recent medical records, particularly mental health treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide these records or have them obtained by VA.