PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for right hip disability, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and PTSD are all remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective March 31, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms, including suicidal ideation and inability to establish effective relationships, most closely approximated a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his residual scars on the left hand and elbow are both rated as noncompensable. The Board denied increased ratings for all issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during active duty was a sufficient stressor for his diagnosis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating effective April 1, 2014. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating effective August 16, 2022.

The Veteran was denied clothing allowances in 2013, but testified at a hearing that he needed them for specific disabilities. The Board finds the matter remanded to issue an SSOC.

Service connection for OSA is granted as secondary to PTSD and service-connected orthopedic disabilities with obesity.,From July 19, 2016, to February 4, 2018, a 40% evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. From February 5, 2018, forward, the same evaluation remains in effect.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of in excess of 50 percent is not warranted due to lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of her back disability. The issues of rating PTSD and service connection for lumbosacral strain are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI were rated at 50 percent prior to June 11, 2020, and denied a higher rating. Since June 11, 2020, the Veteran was denied a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since April 3, 2018. The Board finds a need for additional medical evidence to determine if the disability warranted a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DJD and DDD warrant an increased rating beyond the current 40 percent assigned. A remand is required to assess the severity of his condition, including whether functional equivalent of ankylosis exists due to painful flare-ups.,A compensable initial rating for scars associated with back surgery and left shoulder surgery is needed as the Veteran reported painful flare-ups but no estimated loss of motion was provided by the VA examiner.,The Veteran's scar on his midline lumbar spine requires a remand to assess its severity, including whether it meets criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left eye disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD and depression), all related to the Veteran's service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for breast cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of non-VA medical care provided at Lawnwood Hospital Trauma Center in October 2010 is granted, as he was totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities and the VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including verifying the claimed stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unemployable prior to August 31, 2010. The Board found that the limitations caused by his PTSD were adequately compensated under the disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim of increased ratings for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion to assess the current level of disability throughout the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70% since October 21, 2022, and the Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 29, 2009 to October 21, 2022.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on corroborated in-service stressors.