PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated at a 70 percent rating, and the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, including obtaining additional military records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, major depressive disorder, and opioid use disorder, was granted a 70 percent rating prior to June 30, 2020. The appeal for a higher initial rating is denied. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities from December 14, 2018, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent since July 25, 2017. The appeal for an increased rating beyond this period has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional records and updated treatment information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, do not meet the threshold for a schedular TDIU prior to February 3, 2021. The Board finds no reasonable possibility of unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 6, 1992, resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and GERD disabilities are granted, with a rating of 30 percent. The left elbow disability is granted but at the maximum allowable rating (10%). Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his employment history and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD was denied. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic degenerative disc disease, as well as separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas without total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating from May 1, 2016 to January 8, 2018 and from March 1, 2018 to February 6, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea due to the need for an SOC.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for psychiatric disability and TDIU prior to July 31, 2018 due to insufficient information provided by previous VA examinations. An additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective prior to January 5, 2018. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy as secondary to service-connected PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Washington D.C. VAMC and any relevant private treatment records before readjudicating these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial 10 percent rating, and his diabetes is denied a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as secondary service connection for these conditions due to an eye injury in-service. The decision found no evidence of a nexus between the current psychiatric disorders and service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's partial laryngectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under current regulations. For his psychiatric disability, the claim is being denied as the Veteran failed to report for a necessary examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his heart condition, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to October 10, 2018 and at 70% since then. The appeal for higher ratings and TDIU prior to October 10, 2018 was denied.