PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings are not ready for decision due to the need for additional development. The issues include a left shoulder disability, PTSD, left ankle tendonitis, lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that a new, more contemporaneous VA examination medical opinion is necessary due to the Veteran's incarceration and the possibility of increased severity since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The Veteran is requested to provide additional evidence and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors during service. The deck logs for the USS JOHN RODGERS need to be reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service or secondary to his PTSD. The appeal for this issue is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, angina, and a skin condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and GAD, which are believed to be related to military sexual trauma. The VA is instructed to obtain treatment records from Fort Huachuca and provide a supplemental opinion on the diagnoses.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 27, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating prior to October 30, 2019. The Board found the evidence consistent with this rating based on symptoms such as suicidal ideation and impaired impulse control.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease prior to June 1, 2022, and a 30 percent disability rating thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder, is granted with an effective date of October 3, 2008. The issue of TDIU prior to April 22, 2022, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) is dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have agreed that there is no longer a question of law or fact for the Board to rule on. The appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury, migraine condition, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The remaining issues of PTSD, Erectile Dysfunction, Right Hip Disability, Left Hip Disability, Bilateral Retinopathy, and Lumbosacral Strain are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from June 1, 2016 to September 15, 2021. A higher rating of more than 70 percent for PTSD was denied after September 16, 2021. The Veteran also received TDIU prior to September 16, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment from June 12, 2014, to February 2, 2016. The Board granted a disability rating of 100 percent for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD with TBI and consideration of a TDIU claim due to the potential impact on both issues.