PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment from October 2, 2018. The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current level of impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy) meet the criteria for a TDIU and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, based on a diagnosis under the DSM-5, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor (sexual assault), and medical evidence linking current symptoms to that stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic thoracolumbar strain and PTSD have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development of evidence, including missing SSA records and VA examination opinions that did not address relevant lay and medical evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% since August 10, 2016. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as he still had occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder, atypical headaches with migraine features, and lumbar strain due to incomplete records from various sources. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 100% rating for service-connected depressive reaction with PTSD is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for pancreatitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nerve disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as MDD, is related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of cervical strain (neck disability) is granted with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The gastrointestinal issue is related to the Veteran's claimed gastroenteritis, while the PTSD issue involves seeking a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD based on military sexual trauma. The Veteran's account needs to be corroborated, and a medical opinion is needed regarding whether this stressor is sufficient for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, HTN, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PN of the upper and lower extremities, OSA, ventricular arrhythmia, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD. The appeals are now pending with the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from September 14, 2010 to July 29, 2011. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for low back strain and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for her low back disability, as she had not demonstrated ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes. For TDIU, the Veteran met the schedular criteria but failed to show that she is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for paranoid schizophrenia is granted, but the Board has remanded to determine if he has any other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder and whether it is related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for residuals of pneumonia, bilateral flat feet (pes planus), low back disorder, right and left knee disorders, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), sleep apnea, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), or headaches. The Veteran's claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.