PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, scars status post bladder cancer surgery, COPD, and hypertension. The issues of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's Bilateral Hearing Loss is not compensably rated prior to July 13, 2022.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent effective November 8, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for further review due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the September 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's attorney argues that the SSOC did not provide adequate discussion of the relevant evidence, allowing the Veteran an opportunity to present arguments before the Board.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, stating she did not want to continue with the appeal process.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,An initial 10 percent rating for right knee arthritis is granted, effective January 29, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims for PTSD with TBI and left foot pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The VA is instructed to provide a comprehensive examination and determine the etiology of each condition.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to an inextricably intertwined issue with the PTSD claim. The PTSD claim is pending and may result in a change of the Veteran's combined disability rating, potentially affecting the need for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for PTSD and Total Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran has PTSD. The cases are being remanded again to schedule an examination and properly document that the Veteran was provided adequate notice at his latest address of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 20, 2012, for her service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder. The decision stated that the Veteran did not respond to multiple VA requests and calls regarding what condition or disability she was claiming in relation to sexual harassment, which led to the RO accepting her January 2013 statement as a claim of service connection for a mental condition.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C and PTSD with alcohol abuse, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to November 3, 2017 are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at a 50% for his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and PTSD, as well as service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disability. The decision is based on evidence showing a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted by the agency of original jurisdiction. The claims for other conditions have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and outstanding records.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the respiratory condition, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.,The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.,The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.,The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and secondary service connection claims.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, but a TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection and rating for various disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depressive disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had these conditions during or near the pendency of his claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as directly due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is granted a 70 percent initial evaluation, effective August 24, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to an error in obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefit records. The SSA records may assist in substantiating the Veteran's claim and need to be obtained.