PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, insomnia, and alcohol and stimulant use disorder is currently rated at 100 percent effective May 9, 2022. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings prior to that date and for a TDIU prior to May 9, 2022.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to March 31, 2022, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to August 9, 2021, and the issue of an increased rating beyond this level is also remanded.,The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU was granted effective May 14, 2015.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including those related to service connection for various conditions. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric impairment, including PTSD, is rated at 50 percent prior to September 12, 2014. A higher rating of 70 or 100 percent is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder) and hypertension. However, these issues are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor and no medical evidence linking his current PTSD to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that he failed to report for VA examinations and his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective November 29, 2012. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted from December 27, 2012.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the terms of its previous remand instructions. Further remand is necessary to obtain all VA treatment records from 1999 to the present and to verify the Veteran's alleged service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and arthritis. The cases are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The claim of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder/severe anxiety disorder has been reopened and is granted. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to February 25, 2021 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the claims for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 30, 2015. He also receives a TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been granted a 50% rating since November 16, 2013. Service connection for PTSD was also granted.,Issues related to OSA as secondary to sinusitis and left knee conditions are pending further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and TDIU were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia is denied as it is a laboratory finding and not a disease or disability.,The effective dates for the awards of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and major depressive disorder with PTSD are both set at May 27, 2018, when the Veteran filed an intent to file a claim followed by a formal application in October 2018.,The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism is currently rated at 10 percent, but no higher, due to lack of myxedema and other complications.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II remains rated at 20 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7913.,Major depressive disorder with PTSD is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD prior to January 9, 2003, due to his demonstrable inability to obtain or retain employment.