PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis status post patella femoral ligament repair, right knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities on an extra-schedular basis prior to July 7, 2020 is being remanded as the RO did not satisfy its duty to assist and there are outstanding development actions needed. The Board will consider whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined low back and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The evidence does not show total occupational impairment.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent (noncompensable).,Prior to September 9, 2020, lumbosacral strain with IVDS warrants a rating of 10 percent. From September 9, 2020, the Veteran's condition warrants a rating of 40 percent.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2020 and 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to be severe enough to warrant a 70 percent disability rating, which is the highest available for this condition.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his left hand condition and PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's bilateral flat foot, right knee, and left knee conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of noise exposure or injury during periods of active duty. The appellant's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no credible evidence showing that the disorder had its onset during a period of active duty. The appellant did not have any treatment for such conditions in service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are due to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, despite his reported difficulties with employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and any stress fracture condition due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed with a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 5, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as there were no communications received between the January 2004 denial and September 13, 2017, petition to reopen her previously denied claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea was denied as the condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,Ratings greater than 20 percent were denied for left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathies, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD).,PTSD was also denied as not productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is found to be related to his military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

Your PTSD disability rating has been increased to 100 percent effective June 16, 2020. The appeal regarding the previous ratings from June 14, 2017, to June 16, 2020, is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea has been granted. The rating for PTSD and left shoulder disability is remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD was dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD and for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 5, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional hearings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his OSA, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.