PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Regional Office granted it.,Left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling VA examinations, and obtaining authorization from non-VA providers.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression as the evidence did not establish an in-service event, disease, or injury that was not the result of the Veteran's willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, is reopened. The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 14, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.,There is no evidence of frostbite or its residuals during service or post-service. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Board remanded the claim for service connection for back condition due to insufficient medical opinion regarding etiology.,TDIU was also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the back disability issue.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and TBI secondary to service-connected disabilities have been granted. However, the rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches and a compensable rating for residual scar from cervical surgery remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 22, 2014 is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence addressing aggravation.

A 70 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD is granted effective July 20, 2011. Service connection for a sleep disability and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD are denied. Service connection for a circulatory condition is granted effective July 20, 2011. Effective July 20, 2011, the appeal for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding service connection and increased disability rating for hypertension, sleep apnea, PTSD, anxiety disorder, sinus headaches, and migraine headaches. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions and their relationship to his military service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder (claimed as PTSD), but there are concerns about the reliability of his reported stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not require hospital treatment in a VA or approved hospital for more than 21 days, so the temporary total evaluation requested is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining completed VA Form 21-4192 from the Veteran's present employer and updating his VA Form 21-8940. The issues of TDIU and increased ratings for acquired psychiatric disabilities are intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except eye problems, tinnitus, and stomach problems (undiagnosed or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom Gulf War illness) has been dismissed. The claim of service connection for left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and MDD was reopened, granted, and a compensable rating for right foot callous and a higher rating for residuals of fracture of the right fourth toe were denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST) is being remanded as the VA examiner did not consider all relevant evidence and provide a complete rationale.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and incomplete VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is pending, as well as a determination on whether any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 18, 2022. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there was no total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a medical opinion regarding his mental health at the time of misconduct.