PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% and increased to 70% effective February 10, 2022. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to August 2, 2021, but granted a 10% rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling since April 14, 2022. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including GERD and PTSD. The VA clinician is requested to provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. His MDD is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to report for a VA examination, and it is now required to schedule another examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 1, 2017 was denied as he had been employed and the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The claim for DEA benefits prior to November 1, 2017 was also denied due to lack of employment history provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective date and increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date than January 4, 2011, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to address the nature and severity of the Veteran's GERD and whether his sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by PTSD and/or GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied because there is no verified in-service stressor and the VA examiner found that the claimed stressors are not related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lower back disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD from in-service MST, was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that an in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximate deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating. The Veteran is also granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied, and his Nightmare Disorder was granted a temporary initial rating of 30 percent. The OSA issue is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling, effective October 9, 2014. The increased rating for disk herniation at L5-S1 remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to April 2, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder were rated at 50% from August 9, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance being granted. The issue of a separate compensable rating for a sleep disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, as well as for sleeping problems, to include sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions was dismissed. The Veteran is granted a 70% disability rating for PTSD with depression, effective April 6, 2017.