PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tension headaches, sleep apnea, a right ankle disability, and bronchitis have been dismissed as the benefits sought on appeal were granted in full.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective November 19, 2009. He also received a TDIU rating effective September 30, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of October 30, 2013. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 3, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and increased ratings for Raynaud's syndrome due to a lack of verified in-service stressor events, insufficient medical evidence linking current conditions to service, and failure to meet all criteria for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim of service connection for sleep apnea and the issue regarding a higher disability rating for PTSD. The Veteran will need further examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent effective January 29, 2021. The initial compensable ratings for right and left hip disabilities based on limited flexion were granted from July 18, 2018 to December 20, 2020, with a rating in excess of 10 percent from December 21, 2020. The initial compensable rating for right and left hip disabilities based on limited abduction/adduction was granted from July 18, 2018 to February 4, 2021, with a compensable rating from February 5, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to November 19, 2021 is denied due to his failure to provide the requested information and forms necessary for VA to adjudicate his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to unresolved issues regarding his character of service, which must be addressed before considering the merits of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 12, 2014 to August 25, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for ED as a complication of PTSD was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 7, 2022. The lumbar spine disability issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives, including obtaining VA medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, and GERD have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Veteran is granted a higher evaluation for his PTSD and GERD, but denied an increased rating for his migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service connection claims and exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective from March 18, 2019. The Veteran's symptoms have included depression, anxiety, social isolation, and suicidal thoughts, which are considered in the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to insufficient credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and because his combined disability rating did not meet the requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for PTSD, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of headaches is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and analysis.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a ruptured ear drum, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and an LCL injury with residuals have been dismissed. The claim for OSA has been granted.