PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition and for updated VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues with the PTSD rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate evaluation for TBI from PTSD, finding that symptoms of both conditions cannot be differentiated.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active service. The claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar strain is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety is granted. The claims for increased evaluation of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, resulting in the denial of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was previously denied in April 2015. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim, but the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that her psychiatric disorder began during service or is otherwise related to her service. The fracture of her left foot was not caused by her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with polysubstance disorder and major depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent from February 22, 2011 to April 26, 2013 and at 70 percent from April 26, 2013 to July 31, 2020. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to April 26, 2013 and denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new symptoms and outstanding private treatment records, requiring an examination and obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to October 30, 2019 resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. However, the evidence does not show reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since November 13, 2013. His claim for TDIU is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior instructions and the need for additional records, including an autopsy report and police/investigative report.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an issue regarding the effective date of a PTSD disability rating. The Veteran's claim is currently at 100 percent and was granted on February 3, 2014. However, the Court found that there may be new evidence from a social worker within the appeal period which could affect the finality of the May 2008 decision.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was increased from 10 percent to a higher evaluation, but the Board found that additional evidence is needed due to the length of time since his last VA examination and his statement that his condition has worsened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, depressive disorder, ALS, a blood problem presumed from herbicide exposure, and arthritis of multiple joints.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specific dates are being remanded due to procedural issues and lack of formal or informal claims.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of PTSD, scarlet fever, and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding records and the need for VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision states there is insufficient evidence to show current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), nasal problems, sleep apnea, PTSD, and social anxiety as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to active service.