PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, and a new examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several service-connected disabilities has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.,An earlier effective date claim for DEA benefits was dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD and has also granted his claims for service connection for depressive and panic disorders. The evidence supports finding that these conditions are related to events during his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions for the service connection claims are inadequate, requiring further remand to obtain additional medical evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 8, 2022, did not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent disability rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) was denied. The Board found that there is no current TBI and the lay reports were not competent to establish the existence of a current disability. For the issue of total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to September 14, 2015, the Veteran's combined schedular disability rating did not meet the minimum requirements for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to September 14, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues, including the use of an incorrect appeal form. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD remains under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for Hepatitis C and Skin Cancer are remanded due to outstanding STRs and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD from July 28, 2016, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,A 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to lack of evidence.,An initial rating in excess of 10% for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on file regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination and efforts should be made to corroborate his reported stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities rated at 60% or more, qualifies him for TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate effective March 15, 2016.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for TBI prior to May 10, 2022 is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI residuals are not rated in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and his PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating. The appeal for increased ratings has been denied.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeals regarding service connection for dementia, a compensable rating for posttraumatic headaches, and TDIU. The appeal was granted for service connection of PTSD.

The Veteran's hearing loss and other conditions are being reviewed, but his TDIU claim for the period prior to May 15, 2021 is remanded due to unclear employment details.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has also been granted for IBS, with the presumption of exposure to Southwest Asia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, claimed as secondary to PTSD, and TDIU due to inadequate opinions on causation and aggravation of OSA by PTSD. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange is not at issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and depression due to the Veteran not receiving a copy of the February 2022 VA examiner's curriculum vitae and qualifications. The Veteran must be provided this information as required by law.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.