PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective August 14, 2017. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, are being reviewed for their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 11, 2018 due to insufficient information about the Veteran's employment during this period. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to address his right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric condition, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, do not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria for a TDIU prior to March 23, 2021. The VA Director of Compensation Service concluded that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, panic disorder without agoraphobia, substance use disorder, anxiety disorder, sleep disturbance, and depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective as of June 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD related to his verified in-service stressor, and granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment at any time during the period on appeal, leading to a denial of an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his exposure to herbicides in Panama and the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 9, 2021, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter is denied. The claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as it has been over five years since the last examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent for the period from February 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for COPD was granted. Service connection is denied.,PTSD service connection was granted, and the Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% and not higher, effective May 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for respiratory disability, eye disability, complex regional pain syndrome, PTSD with alcohol dependence in remission, and diabetic neuropathy. The specific issues are being returned for further development of records from the Grand Rapids VAMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and potential private treatment records. The goal is to verify if the Veteran's unit was present at Fort Drum for cold weather training when a tank accident occurred, which could support his claim of service connection for PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, low back pain, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to inpatient PTSD hospitalization from November 2012 to December 2012 is denied as the service connection for PTSD was not granted until January 30, 2013.