PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete employment history and need for a combined effects opinion on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling additional examinations. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the remaining claims.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed. The Veteran was granted a 50% rating for headaches, but denied an increased rating for PTSD. His right ear hearing loss claim was also denied. Other issues related to sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, and Gulf War illness were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have significantly worsened, leading to a 70% rating from September 1, 2021 to May 3, 2022. The increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from June 18, 2010, to February 27, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating was denied after that date.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased disability rating for PTSD and a TDIU are dismissed due to the failure to timely opt into the modernized review system or withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD and TDIU has been remanded due to the VA failing to obtain relevant private medical records. The Board will attempt to obtain these records on remand.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and TBI, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 28, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's in-service stressor and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial and increased evaluations for PTSD are granted, but the TDIU based on PTSD is dismissed as moot due to the higher rating. Service connection for left knee disorder and right knee disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and tinnitus, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied an effective date prior to March 13, 2019 for service connection of PTSD. The issues of a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411.,The Veteran's residuals of gunshot wound, right upper lobe, are currently rated at 30 percent, as there is no evidence of a severe muscle disability. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating based on his current symptoms and examination findings.,The Veteran's thoracotomy scar, right side, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7802.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic disorder, is granted a 100 percent rating effective June 22, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and a major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically for additional records development related to the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor involving loading and unloading Vietnam war casualties from aircraft.