PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

Service connection for hypertension is granted, presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not meet VA's definition of 'hearing impairment' for compensation purposes.,Service connection for brain lesion is denied as there is no reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim with the requisite degree of probability that it was caused by presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or otherwise related to service.,A rating of 100 percent (total disability due to individual unemployability) for PTSD is granted, based on total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral pes planus disorder. The condition preexisted service but increased in severity during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of the Veteran's VR&E claim, including obtaining her entire VR&E file and conducting a vocational rehabilitation evaluation. The matter will be further developed before being reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include reopening claims for service connection for various conditions and seeking higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as other conditions were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for his PTSD and right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The appeals of the denials of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are dismissed. Service connection for chronic kidney disease is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, anxiety disorder and PTSD, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not more closely approximate total occupational and total social impairment. The Veteran was granted increased disability ratings for their psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is now rated at 100 percent effective November 12, 2019, due to worsening symptoms including panic attacks more than once a week, suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control, and persistent delusions or hallucinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a pituitary tumor status post resection/removal and an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD since December 9, 2020. The issues of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 9, 2020, and the TDIU from January 21, 2010 to December 9, 2020 were also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective May 8, 2014, one year prior to the date of receipt of his application. The Board finds no evidence supporting earlier claims.

The claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened and the appeal is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression, to include as due to MST, is remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, and hernia are granted. The Veteran is also granted higher ratings for PTSD and hernia from specific dates. Other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD is denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim was May 10, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the effective date cannot be earlier than September 25, 2017.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant a higher rating based on his blood pressure readings.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities (right and left) are each rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities (right and left) are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and TDIU ratings due to outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD. Additionally, the Board has also remanded to determine whether the appellant meets the criteria for establishment of veteran status for basic eligibility for VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 15, 2010, to October 1, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetic retinopathy, PTSD, and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for diabetic retinopathy due to lack of incapacitating episodes under the revised criteria. For PTSD and lumbar spine disability, the Board noted that there was no evidence of at least 7 incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sinusitis and TDIU were dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.,The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for sinusitis from December 14, 2020.