PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been reduced from a 100 percent rating to a 70 percent rating, effective January 1, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not show an improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, thus restoring the 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his OSA is rated at 50 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for PTSD prior to June 28, 2011, and from June 28, 2011 onwards was denied.,The Veteran's claims for a TDIU rating based solely on service-connected PTSD and for a TDIU rating due to all of his service-connected disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since November 29, 2010.,The Veteran also meets the schedular percentage requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from November 29, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder present during the appeal period. The Veteran's service records, post-service medical records, and assertions will be reviewed for this purpose.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 26, 2019 was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating. From December 26, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and also denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an effective date of August 29, 2017.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders is granted as of June 28, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the evidence does not meet the DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and the potential availability of new private treatment records. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder may have increased in severity since his last VA examination, and there are outstanding private treatment records that should be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing she was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for antisocial personality disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee arthritis due to a finding that these conditions are not diseases or injuries subject to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work experience prior to October 9, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus the TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The right knee disability claims are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have not been granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more closely approximated the 100 percent criteria for total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, resulting in a grant of a 100% evaluation.,Service connection for migraines and back disorder is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for right eye blindness, bullet in right cheek, bullet lodged in brain, bullet in upper left back, and bullet in upper right back.,The Board denied the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and rating increases are inextricably intertwined due to overlapping issues, and thus remanded for further development. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to address his acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeal regarding PTSD resulted in a grant of a 70% rating but denial for an earlier effective date and higher rating.,Sleep apnea was remanded.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD was received on December 16, 2016. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at December 16, 2016.