PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for COPD with emphysema, OSA, skin cancer, and PTSD due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is not established.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, and lower extremity neuropathies due to herbicide exposure. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of May 1, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's sexual assault during active service is related to her current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for further examination regarding his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. A new VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to clarify the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to PTSD, considering his stroke residuals. The remand is based on the previous examiner not addressing how much of the Veteran's impairment can be attributed to PTSD alone.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to April 26, 2019 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date based on the Veteran's symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for DDD of the cervical spine prior to April 26, 2019 was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of 15 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

The Veteran's PTSD and sleep apnea have been granted service connection, and he is now eligible for a TDIU rating due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with borderline psychotic features and hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the threshold requirement for VR&E benefits as he has overcome his employment handicap through his career progression at the U.S. Forest Service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions and their relation to service, as well as the 1151 claim. The VA will need to provide new medical opinions considering all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for HIV, legal blindness secondary to HIV, and an acquired mental disorder (including PTSD and depression) secondary to HIV due to additional development being required. The Veteran submitted medical literature suggesting he may have been HIV positive prior to separation from active service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, trauma-related anxiety, and depression. The diagnoses are related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right finger and hip disabilities, as well as service connection for PTSD, were denied. The claim for prostatitis was also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, alcoholism secondary to PTSD, and gout secondary to alcoholism due to in-service stressors. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been denied. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, COPD) have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. He is granted a temporary total evaluation for PTSD hospitalization and a TDIU prior to June 1, 2021.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, and remanded for further examination regarding service connection for PTSD and peripheral vestibular disorder.