PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, heart condition, and COPD are remanded due to the need to verify service-connected stressors, assess in-service exposure to asbestos and lead, and obtain medical opinions on the relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of September 15, 2017. The Board found it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's disabilities worsened in the year prior to his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a right shoulder disorder due to incomplete development following previous remands.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, and his increased ratings for back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted. The rating for the back disability is set at 20 percent, while the rating for the right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating, and he is granted SMC from March 30, 2020. The TDIU claim prior to March 30, 2020, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his lumbar spine condition.,For PTSD, the Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating during the appeal period.,For left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis, the VA examiner noted no limitation to 25 degrees from side and concluded that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to establish an in-service stressor for PTSD, which is a required element for service connection. The Veteran's claims are being returned to obtain further verification of his claimed stressors and to schedule him for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected IVDS of the lumbar spine. His PTSD and IVDS of the lumbar spine are both rated at 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The claim for TDIU is granted. The claims for bilateral shoulder disorder and the issue of character of service are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and headaches is rated at 70 percent since February 19, 2018. The appeal for a higher initial rating for the TBI prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied. The Board also remanded the claims of increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, and the cases for migraines and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation.,Service connection for the right knee disorder, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder are all denied.,Service connection for diabetes, back disorder, shoulder disorder, TBI (head injury) with memory loss, neck disorder, hypertension (high blood pressure), cerebral vascular accident (CVA, strokes), headaches, and PTSD is also denied.,The Veteran's vision loss was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The VA will also obtain updated treatment records, conduct TERA examinations, and schedule further examinations as needed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with a depressive disorder, finding that there is an approximate balance of evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to his in-service stressor. The Veteran was stationed aboard USS Lexington when a plane crash occurred.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's PTSD due to possible worsening or in the alternative that his condition did not improve.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating from January 4, 2022 to January 27, 2023. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that period and after that period remains pending.