PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck, back, hip, knee, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs do not reflect injuries sustained in November 1996 during a rappelling exercise.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of March 1, 2021 for the awards of a TDIU, establishment of basic eligibility for DEA under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35, and SMC based on housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for a compensable rating for linear suprapubic surgical scar, residual of the radical prostatectomy is dismissed. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates and increased ratings for PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate pre-decisional examination and duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his diagnosed OSA.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent level, which meets the criteria for this rating based on his symptoms of suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic, and impairment in work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since December 5, 2014. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70% for PTSD and did not grant TDIU during the periods specified.

The Board has granted readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder based on new and relevant evidence. The claim is denied as there is no evidence that the disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for reducing his PTSD, major depressive disorder, and traumatic brain injury rating from 100% to 50% has been dismissed because he withdrew his appeal before the decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,For lumbosacral strain, the rating higher than 20 percent is denied. The Veteran has symptoms of pain and limited range of motion but no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,PTSD was rated at 30% prior to January 20, 2023, and at 50% thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's residuals of TBI have been compensated by separate ratings and do not warrant an additional rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) for increased disability ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as PTSD. The issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, PTSD with alcohol and marijuana use disorders, and TDIU from December 31, 2009 is granted. The claims for shrinkage with fluid on the brain as secondary to PTSD with alcohol and marijuana use disorders and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a nexus between his military service and his current disability.,For the appeal period from September 12, 2011 to July 10, 2012, the Veteran was found to be substantially gainfully employed full time, thus precluding him from receiving TDIU during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and determined that the Veteran's alcohol use disorder is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The claim was based on credible reports of in-service stressors, including witnessing a fellow servicemember die during training at Camp LeJeune.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from February 1, 2015 to February 1, 2016.,TDIU was granted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran submitted articles discussing PTSD in April 2012, indicating an intent to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for PTSD. The Board granted the appeal based on this submission.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent since January 22, 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is remanded for additional development, and his TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The case is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous remand directives, including obtaining a new medical opinion that considers the complete treatment history and addresses the Veteran's combat service.