PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the etiology of his mental health conditions and sleep issues.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding suicide attempts, treatment records, and employment information.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and alcohol use disorder.,Service connection was also granted for a low back disability (DJD) and left arm disabilities (AC joint DJD, shoulder tendonitis, C5 radiculopathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome).,Right carpal tunnel syndrome was also granted service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to military noise exposure during active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD. The AOJ needs to verify the Veteran's income from 2019 to current.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, PTSD, and insomnia have been granted.,Service connection is established for tinnitus and PTSD. Insomnia remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling from July 22, 2011 to April 1, 2015. The disability causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal with respect to PTSD, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus (reopened) and tension headaches have been granted. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, right ankle Achilles rupture residuals, and right middle finger fracture are rated appropriately. The Veteran's left hand strain is denied a compensable rating. His TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to February 12, 2016 and from September 19, 2017. The Board denied ratings in excess of these percentages.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are related to his in-service stressors. The decision resolves all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's cervical spine condition, as the previous examination did not adequately address flare-ups and their impact on function.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,For PTSD, the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. He has been rated at 70 percent for this period.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a disease/condition during service.

The Board has granted a maximum 50 percent rating for service-connected headaches associated with PTSD throughout the appeal period, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have produced impairment more nearly approximating 'very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability' than the lower 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 23, 2016. The appeal is dismissed as the issue has been resolved.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 1, 2016 for the award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was denied. The earliest possible date for the Veteran's TDIU award is August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on new evidence.