PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's COPD is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The claim for a TDIU prior to May 16, 2019, is dismissed and remanded from that date onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence, including private treatment records from Dr. Cheryl in Chisholm and Dr. Bolgini.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and left hip condition as secondary to lumbar degenerative disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.,There is no current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in the Veteran's medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to procedural issues, including the need to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC). The Veteran's appeal will be returned to the Board once the SOC is issued.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a change.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 8, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a back disability. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health disorder not already service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination, and the Veteran needs an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate attempts by the AOJ to locate records corroborating the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor. The AOJ is instructed to search for Army unit records from February 23, 1995, to December 31, 1996, and ensure that all correspondence is sent to the Veteran at his current address.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial 70 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. Other service-connected conditions are also granted or remanded as specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and the Board finds a remand is warranted to obtain another VA opinion. The earlier effective date claim for PTSD is also remanded due to its inextricability with CUE claims.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the lumbar spine disability prior to April 28, 2015 and granted a TDIU from February 1, 2010 onwards. The decision also noted that the Veteran's combined rating was at or above 70% throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of November 4, 2013 for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The Board found that there was a factually ascertainable increase in severity of PTSD symptoms as of November 4, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Veteran's Vet Center records and addressing whether VA made reasonable efforts to obtain these records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. Service connection is now established for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), seizures, and obstructive sleep apnea.,However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for a right shoulder disorder due to inadequate examination results, specifically failing to provide range of motion testing in active and passive motions as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. The Veteran is to be scheduled for another VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, as well as tinnitus. The rating for bronchial asthma was restored to 30 percent effective May 1, 2019.