PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are not met.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations of service-connected left knee instability, DJD with leg length discrepancy, extension, and right knee strain as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The issues have been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and a Mood Disorder) are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating decisions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, which was granted in August 2017 with an effective date of October 18, 2013. The Board finds that additional VA treatment records and Vet Center counseling records from the 1970s to the 2000s are needed to determine if earlier service connection could have been granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are both remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence in favor of a link between his current PTSD and the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder have been granted a 70 percent rating since December 9, 2011. A higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to technical noncompliance with a previous remand directive and the need for clarification of the Veteran's employability assessment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to in-service stressors and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD is causally related to his in-service stressor, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been rated, but the increased ratings requested are denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70% since November 1, 2012, while his bilateral hearing loss was previously rated at 30%, with a subsequent increase to 70% effective June 11, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence to verify his in-service stressors. The Board requests additional records and will consider new evidence if found.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 2010, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's death claim, as well as claims for service connection for residuals of frostbite and PTSD. Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's stressor history needs to be verified, and his mental health treatment records need to be obtained from VA and Social Security Administration.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD showed sustained improvement and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The reduction of his PTSD rating from 70% to 50% was proper.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% for the entire appeal period, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for PTSD and anxiety, and the Board dismissed claims for low back disability, increased ratings for knee disabilities, and a compensable rating for insomnia disorder. The deviated septum claim is remanded.