PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including service connection claims and exposure to ionizing radiation or chemical agents. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to inadequate VA opinions. His psychiatric condition, migraine headaches, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, urinary condition, sleep apnea, and hypogonadism claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, with an initial 50% disability rating effective May 11, 2016. The appeal is now focused on the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 8, 2022 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD and major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis as of December 2, 2013. The decision is based on the combined impact of his service-connected conditions: PTSD, Parkinson's disease, and GERD.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating of PTSD and low back disability, as well as service connection for a heart condition. Additional development is needed to obtain non-VA treatment records, ensure adequate VA examinations, and address functional equivalence claims.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and MDD prior to September 5, 2019 and from February 4, 2021 has been dismissed as the Veteran requested a withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to inadequate examination reports and outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the right shoulder disability and PTSD service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining opinions from medical providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue raised by the Veteran regarding his March 2013 request to reopen his PTSD claim as an implied claim for increase of his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case is now pending and requires a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD, which is considered a direct result of his active duty service, was a contributing factor to his suicide.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective April 28, 2017. The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy, right lower extremity, was restored to a 20 percent disability rating from May 22, 2017.,Service connection for the sexual disorder, postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis, was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment affecting most areas of his social and occupational functioning, warranting a 70 percent disability rating from January 9, 2012 to June 20, 2019.

The appeals for service connection and rating for sleep apnea, PTSD, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and verification of a claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's stepson steals his medications, causing him to hide some of them. A new VA examination is needed to determine if he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards in his daily environment.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, panic attacks, and hand tremors is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The issue of TDIU remains pending due to the remand for a VA Form 21-8940 submission.