PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and reopened the claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and fibromyalgia. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded both his increased rating claim for PTSD with depression and his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU due to the need for further evidence and examination.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from November 1, 2017 to July 13, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and a disability manifested by fatigue due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The cases are being returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and providing opinions on the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to May 30, 2018 and at a 100 percent rating after that date.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for migraine headaches, PTSD with major depressive episodes, right hip strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that there is a need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive episodes, bilateral knees, and hips.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and remanded for further development to ensure compliance with the July 2021 Board remand directives. The case is now being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia (previously claimed as paranoid schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, a personality disorder and/or PTSD, due to the need for additional development of the record. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition when examined, accepted, and enrolled for service except as to defects, infirmities, or disabilities noted at the time of examination, acceptance, enrollment, or where clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrates that the injury or disease existed before acceptance and enrollment and was not aggravated by such service. A new etiological opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD, and a rating in excess of 70 percent on and after June 3, 2021, for PTSD have been denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was incurred in service based on the stressors he experienced during his deployment in Vietnam.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and PTSD. The case is remanded for further development of medical records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder condition, cervicalgia, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, vision loss/diplopia, nodules on vocal chords, sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, chronic diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), skin tags of arms and thighs, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to allow for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent evaluation prior to November 6, 2020. The issue of entitlement to TDIU on or after November 6, 2020, is moot.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 30, 2019 due to the severity and frequency of his symptoms.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for service-connected PTSD but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 1, 2014.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and left knee strain, but dismissed the appeal for PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded.