PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, which is secondary to a service-connected neuropsychiatric condition including PTSD, and for TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The VA will obtain additional medical records, translate Spanish documents, complete a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) memorandum, and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD, the only service-connected condition from November 21, 2017 to June 3, 2020, did not render him unemployable due to his PTSD alone. The Board denied an extraschedular TDIU rating for this period.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's PTSD level of occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in auditory and visual hallucinations, isolation, poor impulse control, emotional instability, and recurring hospitalizations. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective November 18, 1969.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 21, 2020, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. Since May 21, 2020, the severity of his PTSD symptoms has caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for a right knee disability as it was granted in a March 2024 rating decision. The other issues are remanded due to new evidence and outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining SSA records related to the Veteran's receipt of disability benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, herpes, cervical spine disability (secondary to PTSD), right and left hip pain, and hypertension. The only condition granted was an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety and other stressor related disorder).

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development due to the submission of new evidence, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The Veteran did not respond to a request to waive review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shrapnel injuries to the left leg, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a procedural issue regarding the earlier effective date for service connection of a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran submitted a timely notice of disagreement, but the Regional Office did not properly address this in their decision and should have issued an SOC.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his cardiac dysrhythmia is rated at 60 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unresolved questions regarding the Veteran's fatigue, spinal tuberculosis, and acquired psychiatric disability. The case will be further examined to determine if active TB was present during service and its impact on current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, and a back disability are remanded due to the absence of a copy of his Social Security Administration (SSA) decision in the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions, specifically regarding obtaining records from the Jupiter Vet Center. The Veteran's PTSD increased rating claim is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected psychiatric, neck, and low back disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The claims will be addressed again with new evaluations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable prior to August 9, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show any single disability preventing the Veteran from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and the claims for other conditions are denied.