PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates of TDIU and DEA, as these issues were resolved in a prior decision.,The Board has also dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD with MDD, as this matter is now decided by another stream.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is dismissed. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and residuals of a right thumb fracture are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 4, 2019. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, insomnia, and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2019. The Board found that the disability did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, but additional evidence is needed to determine if the PTSD caused or aggravated the obesity and whether this played a substantial role in causing the sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and fatigue is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent, as they were found to be consistent with the level of impairment associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since September 23, 2019. Prior to that date, the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the claim is remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected PTSD and bilateral eye disability.,A TDIU claim was also raised, but the proper notice requirements have not been met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, atypical chest pain, and kidney pain. The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's TBI, now claimed as Post-Concussion Syndrome and Cognitive Decline with PTSD and Stimulant Use Disorder, was granted a 70 percent rating from November 10, 2016 to December 20, 2017. The claim for an increased rating beyond this period is denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded for a new VA medical opinion to address whether it is related to his service-connected PTSD with MDD and sleep disturbances, as well as if it was caused by or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and further development is needed, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive and tobacco use disorders was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms prior to September 20, 2023, did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding service connection claims, including those related to hypertension, skeletal arthritis, psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial or increased rating of PTSD prior to January 23, 2023, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD since January 23, 2023, is denied. The Board finds that the current severity of his symptoms does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.