PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board denied a higher disability rating for PTSD prior to March 20, 2019, and also denied entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU based on the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent from September 9, 2016 until September 29, 2017.,Since September 29, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in total unemployability, as he has not provided specific information about his employment history and income levels.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ear hearing loss, and asthma due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting findings regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and drug abuse disorder. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and tinnitus have been granted as they are found to be related to service.

An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted effective September 23, 2020.,Effective September 23, 2020, a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service. The Veteran was denied service connection for PTSD in previous decisions, but his claim was reopened and he is seeking a determination on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for additional retroactive compensation in excess of $799.13 for the periods from January 2004 through August 2004 and March 2015 through June 2015 was denied as VA had already determined that he was entitled to the full amount, after accounting for previously paid amounts.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection for supraventricular tachycardia with atrioventricular block and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD, back disability, and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 22, 2012 and for a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which the Board finds insufficient to meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 60 percent and also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for right lateral epicondylitis, service connection for left arm disorder, migraine disorder, left elbow disorder, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder), and thyroid disorder have been dismissed.,The Veteran withdrew her appeals for these specific issues at a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board dismissed the issue of whether severance of service connection for anxiety was proper because service connection has been restored without a gap in benefits or decreased rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are granted as secondary to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the benefits sought (other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with mental disorders, anxiety disorders) are now granted in full.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 11, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's lumbar disability is rated at the highest available schedular rating (10 percent).,The Veteran's scar, right lower extremity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,From November 27, 2017 to August 13, 2018, the Veteran's surgical scar, right foot is rated at the highest available schedular rating (10 percent).,The Veteran's hallux valgus is rated at the highest available schedular rating.,Service connection for chest/heart pain, hypertension, and an unspecified neurological disorder are remanded.,Service connection for a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed due to their death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals.