PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD, and the issue is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder due to lack of medical evidence establishing a link between OSA and active service on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, as well as secondary service connection for polysubstance abuse. The Veteran's stressor during service is considered credible, and his current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are to be evaluated further.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for fibromyalgia and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The VA found that the current schedular ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s fibromyalgia, as well as his PTSD and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and service connection for OSA, chronic left knee disorder, and chronic right knee disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD or service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's current Obstructive Sleep Apnea is proximately due to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression and Alcohol Dependence, which caused him to gain weight. The Board has granted secondary service connection for OSA.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective from December 28, 2015. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental health condition, including PTSD and anxiety, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current mental health conditions and events in service.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder were rated at 70 percent for the period from April 24, 2013 to May 20, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 2, 2014. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. Service connection for PTSD and tinnitus are also granted. The claim for service connection for a back condition and bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating from November 17, 2006, to August 20, 2012, and from November 1, 2012, to April 20, 2015. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU during these periods.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for TBI with residuals of light sensitivity and headaches due to lack of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employment, specifically as a production worker in an automotive vehicle engine plant from February 2006 to February 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his respiratory disability and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent is not warranted. The Veteran also received a grant for TDIU.