PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a cervical spine disability, as well as his service connection claim for bone cancer are remanded due to incomplete examinations and lack of information on the competency of VA examiners. Additionally, a temporary total rating based on convalescence (based on surgery for bone cancer) and TDIU claims are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate response to the February 2022 remand instructions and failure to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD (now claimed as any acquired psychiatric disorder) has been reopened and granted.,Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include anxiety and depression.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and granted it, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a VA examination to reconcile this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, to include PTSD due to MST and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is remanded. The Board finds that a new VA examination is required to clarify the results of the October 2017 VA examination and determine if the Veteran has PTSD due to MST or whether his other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including seeking service connection for various psychiatric and physical conditions. The appeals are not about the PACT Act or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any acquired psychiatric disability, nor was there sufficient evidence to establish service connection based on direct service connection or aggravation of a pre-existing condition. For his bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's pure tone thresholds were within normal limits with no significant speech discrimination impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his service-connected PTSD prior to December 10, 2019; right foot fifth metatarsal fracture; hiatal hernia with GERD; erectile dysfunction; and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for additional opinions regarding the relationship between his nonservice-connected psychiatric disabilities and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than September 5, 2017 for his service-connected PTSD. The appeal regarding the lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to a lack of communication prior to September 5, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to PTSD are being remanded as the Board finds that VA did not fulfill its duty to assist in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Barrett's esophagus are granted a 60 percent rating effective November 22, 2022.,PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating from November 22, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, has been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and SMC is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, panic disorder, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress renders him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment since September 20, 2014. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various ratings and TDIU claims related to his low back disability, frostbite residuals in his left hand, PTSD, and TDIU prior to May 31, 2017. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further verification of the Veteran's claimed stressor incident. The issues include service connection for PTSD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, and an increased rating for a left great toe fracture.