PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and somatic symptom disorder, right shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome L4-L5, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, iliopsoas bursitis limitation of flexion, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, iliopsoas bursitis, limitation of flexion, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right wrist sprain. The Veteran's bilateral eye condition, eczema, left foot ring-toe condition, and sinusitis have also been dismissed.

The appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with TBI and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to incomplete records from the Vet Center. The Board will obtain these records before deciding the cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment and service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA Form 21-8940 or equivalent information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding notification of scheduled examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating of service-connected disabilities has been at least 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and he was not found to be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for asthma has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted in this regard, but the claims for psychiatric condition and respiratory condition (including asthma and allergic rhinitis) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been denied. The effective date for the award of a 10 percent rating for tinnitus is also denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not granted due to lack of evidence showing in-service noise exposure or chronicity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder), and left ear hearing loss for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder is rated at 70 percent from May 9, 2018 to March 27, 2019. A rating in excess of 70 percent for this condition has been denied.,The Veteran has also been granted TDIU effective April 13, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA disability records and an occupational specialist evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is denied. The claims for joint disabilities and respiratory disability are remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2020.,PTSD with alcohol abuse and TBI was granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective December 1, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from March 8, 2016 to November 23, 2021 and denied a higher rating. From November 23, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% and again denied a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death due to COPD, which was aggravated by smoking habits resulting from PTSD. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.