PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding an increased rating. The appeal also includes a request to establish service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient notice provided regarding evidence of in-service personal assaults related to PTSD and schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied by the Board. The evidence showed occupational and social impairment, but not total occupational and social impairment as required for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50% initial disability rating, effective March 29, 2016. The claim for an earlier effective date for the 50% rating is also granted. The hearing loss disability remains denied.

The Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU was denied for the period from December 11, 2012 to April 1, 2014 and granted for the period from April 2, 2014 to January 25, 2016. The issue of TDIU beginning January 26, 2016 is dismissed due to the Veteran's 100% disability rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral pes planus, and spinal condition with radiculopathy are found to be etiologically related to his obstructive sleep apnea. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was granted at a 50% disability level, and then increased to 70%. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms warranted an initial 70% rating since June 30, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period from November 20, 2013, to November 7, 2020. The claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected scoliosis is remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, finding that entitlement to a TDIU did not arise during the year prior to January 12, 2012 due to non-service-connected vertigo/Meniere's disease impacting employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling, and he has a combined service-connected rating of at least 60 percent for other disabilities. The Board granted an initial 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from November 2, 2016, to December 21, 2020.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not undergo an increase in disability beyond its natural progression during active duty. The claims for secondary service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as related to bilateral pes planus, and for PTSD and headache disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to open medical questions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be readjudicated after a new medical opinion is obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, effective December 20, 2019. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective February 7, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral wrist disability and hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran, through his representative, has withdrawn all remaining issues.