PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for consideration of whether entitlement to an extra-schedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for PTSD, and the need to review outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations have been denied. The left (minor) fifth finger is rated at 10 percent, PTSD at 70 percent, and both knees are rated as noncompensable.,PTSD was evaluated based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depression, irritability, disturbances of motivation and mood, and sleep impairment. The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were not found to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional mental health records, including SSA records. The Veteran's claim for PTSD related to military sexual trauma (MST) is reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) as he does not have a single 100% disability and is not permanently confined to his immediate premises due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent throughout the period from May 16, 1989 to March 28, 1994.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed sleep apnea.

The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as tinea cruris, recurrent, of the bilateral groin and thighs and tinea corporis of the right leg, had onset in service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including nightmares, panic attacks, flashbacks, anger, and depression, have contributed to reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted from June 20, 2017. The VA has remanded the issues of increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability and SMC based on 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasoning and need for a new VA examination regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right heel disability and PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal. The case is being remanded for further development regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms are characterized by reduced reliability and productivity but do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was granted in May 2019, resulting in a 100% disability rating. The agent (C.L.) who represented the Veteran during this appeal is eligible for agent fees.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) rating was denied because the evidence did not show that he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD.