PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined disability rating of 60% does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board also found no evidence to support referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70% disability rating starting from May 11, 2020. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted an increased rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 18, 2015. Beginning May 18, 2015, the Veteran experienced significant impairments including irritability, anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, decreased concentration, and avoidance behaviors. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD beginning on that date.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder in early remission are currently rated at 70 percent, effective from November 29, 2017 to October 13, 2020. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a rating of 100 percent due to lack of total occupational and social impairment. TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral ear disability as she withdrew her appeals prior to a decision being made. The claims of service connection for multiple sclerosis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for back and PTSD, as well as claims for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The VA will conduct additional examinations and gather medical records to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's flexion contracture of the left fifth digit PIP has been granted an initial compensable rating.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder strain is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal on this issue.,Service connection for spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side and hypertension are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted on a presumptive basis due to his Persian Gulf service. Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability related to his Persian Gulf service, and headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected somatization disorder.,The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for somatization disorder with depressive disorder, NOS, PTSD and memory loss prior to September 6, 2019 is granted. The issue of a higher rating after that date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's testimony regarding a stressful event in service is to be considered during the examination process.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded due to the lack of service treatment records, incomplete VA treatment records, and the need for a comprehensive examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, presumed due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and sleep apnea as secondary to a psychiatric disability due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD and whether it is related to service, as well as any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The issues of service connection for PTSD and Depression are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depression, is found to be related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% from July 7, 2015 to September 30, 2018. It was denied for the period October 1, 2018 to February 3, 2019 and granted at 100% beginning March 5, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors. The RO is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's PTSD claims based on his provided information.