PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed as moot. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are reopened. Service connection for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues related to his psychiatric disabilities, asthma, bilateral eye disability, heart disability, headaches, and insomnia. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD and major depressive disorder. The AOJ is instructed to provide another examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted at a 10 percent level. The claim of service connection for PTSD and the TDIU are also granted, with the PTSD combined with anxiety disorder resulting in a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50 percent prior to April 17, 2017. From that date onward, the Veteran's PTSD was denied any increase in rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder, mild was granted a 70 percent rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent throughout the claim period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to October 30, 2018, and 50 percent thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.,The evidence does not support a rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD prior to October 30, 2018, due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and any other sleep disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity and left ankle disabilities have been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a current disability or medical nexus.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has also been reopened. The new evidence shows symptoms consistent with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which in turn caused his sleep apnea. The claim is also being remanded for further VA medical opinions on the aggravation of sleep apnea by PTSD and diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions like depression, psychosis, anxiety, and PTSD. The evidence did not show a current disability related to service or any in-service stressor.

The Veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure, which is listed as a 'sequel to Agent Orange' on his death certificate. The Board has ordered further development including obtaining medical records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who previously reviewed the case.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension have been granted service connection. The lip quiver, hand tremors, and bilateral leg disorder are denied as not related to service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, as the evidence did not support a finding that it was related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and panic/anxiety disorder), a low back disability, a left knee disability, a left shoulder/arm disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a new opinion on causation between PTSD and OSA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), concluding that there were insufficient verified stressors to support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, PTSD, and substance abuse disorder due to willful misconduct. The claim for cataracts is remanded as it involves exposure to herbicides or chemicals.