PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has withdrawn the claims of service connection for urticaria and angioedema. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder/anxiety/PTSD), TBI (head injury), right ankle disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), chronic pain syndrome, hypertension, digestive disorder, and sleep disorder have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The effective date claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially impairing his ability to work.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted as service connected due to a fear of hostile military activity during his time on the submarine.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD from April 2, 2012 to June 8, 2016. The decision found that the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 50 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to an in-service assault, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, coupled with his shoulder and migraine headache conditions, have a significant impact on his capacity for substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating. The Veteran's right and left knee strains are currently rated at 10%, with no higher ratings warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his employment as an assistant manager at a car wash is considered substantially gainful, and he has not provided further clarification of his employment status.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression was not productive of total occupational and social impairment prior to January 20, 2021.,Prior to January 20, 2021, the Veteran met the schedular criteria for TDIU, but there is a reasonable doubt as to whether his service-connected PTSD with major depression rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding Vet Center treatment records that may be relevant to the claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to most closely approximate the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating since May 12, 2014. The Veteran experienced significant occupational and social impairment due to his anxiety, depression, and avoidance of people.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 13, 2012 have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they were not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's TBI and acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability. The current diagnosis is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD due to insufficient opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate examination and duty to assist. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is now before the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected, but his right eye disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and making efforts to develop evidence regarding an unemployability claim. The issues of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU are being addressed.