PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are causally related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending claims for increased ratings and further development needed. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee condition and service connection for hearing loss in both ears are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss is being remanded as he reported worsening symptoms and there was no right ear hearing loss diagnosed. A new examination is needed, considering his testimony of noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion addressing whether it is related to service or within one year post-service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression), left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral hip disability is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations considering his lay statements and secondary theories of entitlement as raised at his hearing.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition is being remanded as there was no current diagnosis found in a previous examination. A new opinion is needed regarding whether it is related to his back condition or aggravated by other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active-duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice regarding military sexual trauma. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and back condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction/loss of reproductive organ is remanded because it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for bronchial asthma and COPD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability is remanded because he has not been afforded a VA examination regarding his current condition.,The Veteran's claims for frostbite left foot, frostbite right foot, chronic mycotic infection bilateral feet, and bilateral foot disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted, but the bilateral hearing loss and PTSD claims are denied.,PTSD was granted for an initial evaluation of 50 percent prior to October 26, 2017, but denied for evaluations in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD from January 2, 2020 to July 1, 2020 was denied as his disability rating is already at the maximum schedular rating (100%) and he does not meet the requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with stimulant and alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to September 9, 2022, but denied for increased ratings from that date onward. The issue of TDIU prior to September 9, 2022, remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and Anxiety Disorder are rated at 70 percent, but no higher. A TDIU is granted based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective June 25, 2013. The symptoms associated with this rating include occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and requires further remand for adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee conditions and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder is granted. The claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, essential tremor, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder) are all remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective August 15, 2017. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the Veteran now receiving a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50 percent since September 21, 2011. This rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is part of his PTSD and does not result in a separate disability. His PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 100%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has not found sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for deviated septum/rhinitis, PTSD and neurosis, chronic back pain, lattice degeneration (claimed as degeneration in eyes), or skin irritation, skin allergies, eczema, psoriasis.