PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, OSA with asthma, patellar tendinitis, left ankle strain, and tinnitus. The AOJ is instructed to review all relevant evidence and issue a SSOC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 1, 2020. Effective February 1, 2020, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to do so.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance are remanded due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran and other procedural issues.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the case is remanded to attempt verification of stressors and provide a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence to verify the in-service stressor of being trapped between rattlesnakes during basic training.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective May 15, 2018. The Board found that the earlier effective date of January 30, 2018, is warranted due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for referral to the Director, Compensation Service due to evidence showing he was unable to work prior to April 26, 2018.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board has determined that service connection is warranted based on new evidence provided by a private doctor.

Your appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, including as due to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed as moot. The claim for chronic pain is granted, but the Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a dermatological disorder due to potential conflicting evidence and exposure basis.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated based on the severity of symptoms, with a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 16, 2017, and from November 16, 2017 to June 10, 2021. Effective June 10, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at a 70 percent rating. The decision also addressed other conditions such as lumbar spine disability and LLE radiculopathies but did not reach a final determination on TDIU or service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a vision disorder is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current eye conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is also denied. The Board finds that while the Veteran experiences symptoms consistent with a 70 percent rating, they do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is a direct result of his reported in-service stressor involving treating drug mules executed by the cartel.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the entitlement to service connection for a right heel disability and the TDIU claim. The earlier effective date for chronic kidney disease is granted, but the rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since June 15, 2012. The TDIU and DEA benefits were also granted effective from the same date.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether a TDIU due solely to service-connected PTSD prior to December 20, 2021, is warranted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have not met the criteria for higher ratings.