PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, and skin disability affecting the feet, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the Veteran's physical limitations due to his heart condition and hearing impairment, as well as his mental health issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of service-connected tinnitus, PTSD, and hypertension have been denied. The claim for TDIU has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's pre-existing PTSD and its relationship to his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain records from Fitzsimmons Army Hospital for the period relevant to the Veteran's claim, seek an opinion on whether his PTSD was aggravated by service, and clarify the connection between his current PTSD and his military experience.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated by a qualified medical examiner to determine their combined effects on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his cervical spine disability was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.,His PTSD is rated at the minimum 30 percent, and no higher rating is granted as there are intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI have been remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for PTSD. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is reopened, but remanded for additional examination and opinion. The claims for IBS, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 18, 2013. The Board is granting an earlier effective date to December 24, 1969 based on the Veteran's contention that his PTSD symptoms began shortly after his separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA psychiatric and audiological examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 7, 2022. Since then, it has been found that his symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with residuals of traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination. The Board will attempt to schedule another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 26, 2010 for hearing loss was granted.,An increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD prior to June 1, 2012 was granted.,Increased ratings were denied for PTSD from June 1, 2012 to March 14, 2017 and from March 15, 2017 onwards.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 13, 2017 was granted.,Increased ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss from March 13, 2017 onwards.,Service connection for various disabilities including back disability, left leg and foot disabilities, right leg and foot disabilities, as well as TDIU prior to March 13, 2017 was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a brain disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 100% evaluation, effective December 28, 2017.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD, right knee degenerative arthritis, and non-service-connected left foot drop. Further examination is needed to distinguish between the effects of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left leg varicose veins, right leg varicose veins, chronic hepatitis C, hyperthyroidism, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), hypertension (HTN), cellulitis, and colon polyps due to a scheduling error preventing VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not substantially complied with, and thus the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating prior to January 23, 2017 and granted TDIU for this period. For the period beginning January 23, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with anxiety, is not related to service due to lack of verified in-service stressors.