PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from March 20, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities have been granted a higher rating, and she has also been granted TDIU. The claims for autoimmune disorder and cardiomyopathy are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for PTSD due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and need for additional clarification regarding the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of this decision. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and this evaluation moots a claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 2, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Parkinson's disease and PTSD have been granted due to the presumption of service connection based on herbicide exposure during active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to February 14, 2018 and at 70 percent thereafter. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient objective evidence regarding his current occupational impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with shortness of breath and residuals of TBI is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been shown to warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to appear for VA examinations and because of a recent address change. The claims include issues related to bilateral hearing loss, s/p nasal bone fracture, arm disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, left eye disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had right knee instability, warranting a separate 10% disability rating. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder has been withdrawn.,Service connection for low back and knee conditions have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, eye disorder (right eye injury), and tinnitus were dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective August 20, 2020. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for GERD was granted with a 30% rating, which was increased to 60%. The Veteran's PTSD was also granted an increased rating to 70%, but no higher. Both conditions are rated based on their current symptoms and impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for posttraumatic stress disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, bilateral foot condition, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, right knee pain, left knee pain, degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and benign prostatic hypertrophy due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 14, 2012. A TDIU was granted for this period.