PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied, and his claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were granted. The issues of increased ratings for various disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from May 3, 2011 to August 26, 2022 is denied. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to October 20, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension, finding that there is no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor or a direct relationship to service. The claim for secondary service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease (CAD), and hypertension due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to January 19, 2011. The evidence does not substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is due to in-service stressors related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to PTSD, and thus denied service connection. For TDIU, the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria and the Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of unemployability based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety due to new evidence received. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. Service connection for tinnitus remains at the maximum schedular rating of 10%. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The claim to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for back disability and left hip disability is dismissed.,The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, headaches, PTSD, left knee disability, and right knee disability are dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Iraq and affirms this finding. Service connection for Sleep Apnea is remanded due to a lack of a comprehensive examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher combined rating in excess of 90 percent, effective from July 19, 2017, is denied. The AOJ's December 2017 rating decision correctly calculated the combined total rating as 90 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment for the period since August 1, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's claim will be further examined for a determination on service connection.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was denied a compensable rating, while he received an increased rating of 70% for PTSD prior to May 8, 2023.,PTSD ratings were granted at 70% effective May 8, 2023.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70% since April 21, 2021. His COPD was initially denied but later granted with a 30% rating effective March 17, 2023.