PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, high blood pressure, and headaches have been remanded. The effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD and mental conditions) are denied due to lack of prior unadjudicated claims. The effective date for hearing loss is denied as it was received within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating. However, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 50% since December 19, 2014 was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric and sleep disorders. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions, including their relationship to service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with anxiety and depression, left shoulder strain, cervical strain, and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from November 25, 2009, to February 9, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD, which was initially granted in May 2015 with a 50 percent rating. The VA has requested a remand to reassess the current severity and functional impairment due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, atopic dermatitis, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and posttraumatic stress disorder are all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for dry eyes as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,The claim for service connection for lumbar spine condition is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran's PTSD rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess current severity and manifestations of his disability.,The Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess current severity and manifestations of his disability.,The Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy rating is remanded for a new VA examination to assess current severity and manifestations of his disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective February 16, 2010. He has also been granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of PTSD, neck disorder, and TDIU. Specifically, the AOJ must obtain SSA records, private treatment records from McLaren Hospital in Bay City, Michigan, and VA medical records. Additionally, a VA examination should be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any neck disorder that may be present. The AOJ is also tasked with considering whether the Veteran is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression, is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lung condition and eosinophilia are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from a psychiatric disorder related to his service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling from August 22, 2016. He also received SMC at the housebound rate and DEA benefits effective from August 22, 2016.,The issue of TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied. Service connection has been granted for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but the claim is still pending as it was not fully addressed in the January 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away during their pendency.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since July 6, 2021. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from end stage dementia, allowing the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is related to service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the adequacy of the September 2017 VA examination and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or another mental disorder. The examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed disability is at least as likely as not caused by service, including verified stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted a 70 percent rating from September 13, 2010 to March 16, 2020. Service connection for bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder are denied.