PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on three issues: left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection of PTSD, Duodenal Ulcer, and Low Back Disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating prior to October 26, 2021, and denied for higher ratings. The right knee strain issue remains on appeal with the need for additional examination. Service connection for left knee strain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying a reported in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression is now pending again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a psychiatric disability including PTSD and depression, and ED have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the VA needs to verify in-service stressors related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim and obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the possibility of outstanding VA treatment records that may affect his PTSD rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increase in the rating for PTSD, left elbow fracture, and post-concussive headaches at a June 2022 video conference hearing.

The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War Era is confirmed, and presumptive service connection applies. The Board finds further development needed for all claims on appeal based on this service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence obtained by VA, and the Veteran's appeal must be readjudicated based on all of the evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to all service connection claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and a disorder manifested by neurobehavioral effects. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and a TDIU were all denied. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD and Sleep Apnea due to new evidence received. The remaining issues are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, shoulder condition, and hypertension. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical examinations.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from June 17, 2019, to October 6, 2019. The appeal is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is granted, while his claims for bilateral hearing loss and right tibia strain are denied. The initial rating for post-laminectomy syndrome of the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent, and the initial ratings for PTSD and major depressive disorder remain at 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 30, 2021.