PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right foot conditions, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to obtain legible service records and determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and clarification of symptoms attributed to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD was denied, but his claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from October 9, 2012, to October 29, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 29, 2022, and a rating in excess of 50 percent from that date onward.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent prior to December 2, 2014 and denied for a higher rating. From December 2, 2014 onwards, the Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's TBI symptoms have resolved, are separately service-connected and rated, or are fully contemplated by his existing 100 percent rating for PTSD. The Veteran's BPPV is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected TBI.,The claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of a timely notice of disagreement with the May 2010 rating decision. The case will be referred for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU prior to May 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to October 19, 2017. The Board found that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were not met due to the presence of other disabilities and the Veteran's ability to perform his former occupation as a truck driver.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis status post patella femoral ligament repair, right knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities on an extra-schedular basis prior to July 7, 2020 is being remanded as the RO did not satisfy its duty to assist and there are outstanding development actions needed. The Board will consider whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined low back and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The evidence does not show total occupational impairment.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent (noncompensable).,Prior to September 9, 2020, lumbosacral strain with IVDS warrants a rating of 10 percent. From September 9, 2020, the Veteran's condition warrants a rating of 40 percent.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to September 9, 2020 and 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to be severe enough to warrant a 70 percent disability rating, which is the highest available for this condition.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his left hand condition and PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The Veteran's bilateral flat foot, right knee, and left knee conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of noise exposure or injury during periods of active duty. The appellant's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability, as there is no credible evidence showing that the disorder had its onset during a period of active duty. The appellant did not have any treatment for such conditions in service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are due to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, despite his reported difficulties with employment.