PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD with opioid use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also sought TDIU based on his service-connected conditions but was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining missing medical records and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total social and occupational impairment, resulting in a finding of denial for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to April 23, 2018 has also been withdrawn. The Board is remanding the claims of service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.,,

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The Board also granted TDIU prior to January 6, 2015, due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an event during his military service and has been granted service connection. Sleep apnea and reactive airway disease are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD) are not granted. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with depression and anxiety has been dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw her appeal.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The claim for service connection for headaches, right knee disability, and tinnitus has been reopened and granted to the extent of these issues.,The claim for service connection for a respiratory disability (lung damage) is denied due to lack of current diagnosis or functional impairment.,A rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded as no VA examination was conducted in conjunction with this claim.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded as the incident basis for the claim has not been corroborated.,The claims for service connection for a right hand disability and right wrist disability are remanded due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with PTSD and alcohol use disorder is granted a 100% disability rating throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to July 20, 2022 and remanded for further development. From July 20, 2022, the rating remains at 50%. The issues of respiratory disability, celiac disease, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand arthritis and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions have been established, with the right hand arthritis having continuous symptoms since service separation. The in-service stressor related to PTSD was verified, and a link between the condition and the verified stressor has been found.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and TBI caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA needs to provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and a right eye disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (which includes depression with anxiety, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder) and a right eye disability.,Service connection remains denied for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to missing VA treatment records and a need to clarify whether or not he wishes to pursue TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect opinion on whether service-connected PTSD contributed to the Veteran's death. A new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD, Headache Syndrome, Depressive Disorder, and Left Shoulder Post-Operative Tendon Tear with Degenerative Joint Disease are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. The effective date for these grants is January 29, 2015.