PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks was rated at 30 percent prior to March 29, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating and TDIU based on the current level of disability.,The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia as due to an undiagnosed illness is granted. The Board has remanded cases related to PTSD, depression and anxiety, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period March 12, 2009 to September 19, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected PTSD precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 29, 2013 for a 100% disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to the August 29, 2013 date of claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The issues of hypertension and headaches secondary to service-connected psychiatric disability are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed in a meaningful capacity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, and GERD to include as secondary to IBS and PTSD due to worsening symptoms since the last examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and OSA due to insufficient examination findings, and additional evidence needs to be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD, tremors, and hypertension due to incomplete records from the Veteran's counseling at the St. George Vet Center and for addendum opinions regarding service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for revision of the October 2007 rating decision to reflect the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding no clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and residuals, traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for additional records from his private psychiatric treatment provider.

Service connection granted for PTSD. OSA rated at 50%. Headaches restored to 50% from May 1, 2017 and loss of smell rating restored to 10% from February 1, 2017. Major depressive disorder with TBI remains at 70%, but TBI is separately rated.

The Veteran's prostate disability is not related to his military service, including herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran does not have a separate sleep disorder that is distinct from his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable and the Board finds no basis for granting a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and the need to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to September 8, 2015, but denied a higher rating after that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to July 20, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his anxiety disorder with PTSD and depression due to concerns about the adequacy of the most recent VA examination, which was conducted too long ago. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorder and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, specifically regarding the adequacy of VA medical opinions.