PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 9, 2021, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter is denied. The claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for this period.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as it has been over five years since the last examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent for the period from February 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for COPD was granted. Service connection is denied.,PTSD service connection was granted, and the Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% and not higher, effective May 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for respiratory disability, eye disability, complex regional pain syndrome, PTSD with alcohol dependence in remission, and diabetic neuropathy. The specific issues are being returned for further development of records from the Grand Rapids VAMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and potential private treatment records. The goal is to verify if the Veteran's unit was present at Fort Drum for cold weather training when a tank accident occurred, which could support his claim of service connection for PTSD and MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, low back pain, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to inpatient PTSD hospitalization from November 2012 to December 2012 is denied as the service connection for PTSD was not granted until January 30, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, CAD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal in its entirety before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied, and the TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders to her service. The Veteran is requested to provide more information about any in-service stressors that may have contributed to her current conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis with shoulder strain is granted as service-connected, and the initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 100 percent.,The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from June 5, 2019 to July 14, 2020. His bilateral hearing loss remains at an 80 percent rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for further development, including contacting his employers and obtaining updated VA treatment records.