PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is not enough evidence to show that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder, chronic lumbar strain, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The VA must obtain additional opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for right hand and left hand nerve damage have been dismissed as service connection was granted. The appeal regarding PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee disorder, right-hand disorder, left-hand disorder, right-ankle disorder, and intestinal disorder (to include chronic diarrhea) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new VA treatment records since the last decision.

The Veteran's appeal regarding higher evaluations for PTSD prior to August 24, 2020 and TDIU prior to that date is being remanded due to incomplete information provided by the AOJ in previous decisions. The AOJ needs to obtain necessary information about the competency of a VA examiner from an earlier evaluation and any relevant treatment records, including those from CPRS if available.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. Claims for increased ratings of various hip and knee disorders, as well as left leg shin splints, were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 0 percent for penile vitiligo has been withdrawn and dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for ratings higher than 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder with anxious distress, as well as TDIU prior to July 19, 2018, are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression) and a bilateral knee disability.

The appeal of the claim for PTSD and increased rating for tinnitus are dismissed.,The appeals for reinstatement of left metatarsal and knee disabilities ratings, as well as entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and a left ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to a reported in-service sexual assault, finding the evidence persuasive that such an event occurred and resulted in PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective August 26, 2014, but denied entitlement to a higher rating or TDIU prior to November 29, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from May 3, 2013 to November 19, 2019.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as service-connected, with the Board concluding that there is no persuasive evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and active service.,PTSD is remanded for further development including verification of stressors and provision of a VA psychiatric opinion.,An acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depression and anxiety) is also remanded, with the same considerations as PTSD.,Essential tremors of the left and right hands are remanded due to their potential connection to PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bowel disorder, claimed as diarrhea, digestive disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on both the earlier effective date and initial rating for PTSD. The Board found no intent to apply for benefits prior to December 5, 2017, and there is no evidence of an informal claim or other indication that the Veteran sought service connection for PTSD before this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further examination and clarification are needed regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent evaluation for the entire period on appeal. However, his claim for TDIU was denied due to lack of information about his employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria and aid and attendance due to insufficient evidence regarding his functional impairment.