PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and chronic sleep disorder to include insomnia due to incomplete medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD with a link to an in-service stressor.,An initial rating of 60 percent from June 20, 2006 to February 25, 2011 for right hip severe degenerative arthritis was granted. The disability had significant pain and weakness, limiting the Veteran's ability to perform basic activities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a left knee condition are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA needs to verify the in-service stressors for PTSD and obtain an examination for the left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeals seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, kidney condition, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for hypertension as due to herbicide agent exposure has been granted. Service connection is also granted for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and osteoarthritis in the left great toe. The stomach disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as the earliest date of receipt of a formal or informal claim is March 17, 2016.,Increased disability ratings for neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities were granted at 30 percent each. The criteria for higher ratings are not met due to lack of evidence showing complete paralysis.,The Veteran's TDIU prior to March 17, 2016 was remanded as there is no indication that his service-connected disabilities alone meet the requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at October 23, 2018.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, is due to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board found no error in the calculation of the combined total rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus. The claim for a higher combined rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiners who provided the examinations. The Veteran and his representative need to be notified about this issue.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is related to his military service. However, due to an aural hearing issue, the case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted service connection, while his right ear hearing loss and PTSD are denied a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD prior to July 1, 2021, is also denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than for alcohol and drug use, is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His PTSD is also granted. The Board has remanded several issues including increased ratings for spine conditions and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including verifying alleged in-service stressors that may support a claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.