PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is necessary because the December 2021 VA medical opinion did not provide adequate rationale regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss aggravated his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from November 21, 2014, to February 1, 2016 was denied as she had full-time employment at that time.,The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 1, 2016, to March 23, 2023 was granted due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected due to in-service trauma and the presence of current symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective August 23, 2018. The reduction is void ab initio due to the RO not providing proper notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it. The case is remanded for further development regarding increased disability ratings for tension headaches and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and right-ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The Veteran's IBS claim has been granted, as well as his tinnitus claim. His GERD claim is pending and will be remanded.,The Veteran's IBS was found to be service-connected due to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. His tinnitus was also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder prior to July 27, 2022 is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lateral femoral neuropathy and right lateral femoral neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left shoulder surgery scars is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for left shoulder nerve damage is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea is remanded.,The Veteran's appeals of ratings in excess of 20 percent for the residuals of left (minor) shoulder surgery based upon limitation of motion and impairment of the humerus are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his military service. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, shin splints, and right knee disability. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on the combined effects of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of evidence, including Vet Center records. The Veteran's PTSD severity needs to be reassessed based on all available information.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent from April 21, 2023. The rating is denied as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is causally related to his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bursitis, pruritis, arthritis, low back disability (claimed as secondary to PTSD), sleep disorder, kidney infection, respiratory condition (claimed as COPD/emphysema), and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have all been denied. The evidence does not establish a current disability or link between the claimed conditions and service.,The Veteran's claims for bursitis, pruritis, arthritis, low back disability (claimed as secondary to PTSD), sleep disorder, kidney infection, respiratory condition (claimed as COPD/emphysema), and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) have not been reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues related to the validity of an overpayment of VA compensation benefits, specifically regarding the amount and creation of the debt. The Veteran is seeking a waiver for this overpayment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 22, 2017 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, tinea versicolor, and IBS are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for impaired vision (refractive error), neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are all denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status (SMC-HB) and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran is service connected for PTSD rated at 100 percent, tinnitus rated at 10 percent, and noncompensable bilateral hearing loss. The Board requested that the AOJ schedule the Veteran for a housebound examination but no such examination has been conducted due to cancellation or inability of the Veteran to attend an in-person examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, alcohol and drug abuse disorders secondary to PTSD, and a heart disability secondary to both PTSD and alcohol and drug abuse disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is evaluated at a 50% rating prior to June 30, 2022 and at a 70% rating thereafter. The Board denied an increased evaluation for PTSD.,Service connection for OSA and left knee condition are remanded as the VA examinations did not address the Veteran's claims in full.