PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder was not found to cause total social impairment at any time during the appeal period.,For the period of the claim prior to January 15, 2020, the thoracolumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the impact of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD on his employment. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, lumbar strain, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee limitation of extension, left knee limitation of extension, and right hip strain. The combined effect of these conditions has rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to April 23, 2014. Effective from April 23, 2014 to August 30, 2020, the Veteran is granted a rating of 70%. The effective date for this increase in rating remains pending.

The appeal on the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine strain with sprain and spondylosis, left lower extremity sensory neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, PTSD, hypertension, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hand burn scar. The Board granted TDIU on both a schedular and an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability causes or aggravates his sleep apnea. The VA must obtain a new opinion from another examiner.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2010 to May 1, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the TDIU prior to April 1, 2010 and from May 1, 2011 to December 2, 2011 was denied as he had been gainfully employed during these periods.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating from September 18, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the combined disability rating did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with a previous remand directive regarding scheduling of a VA examination for PTSD. The Veteran is advised to cooperate in this process.

The Board has remanded the claim of an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD due to a lack of discussion on a relevant April 2017 VA opinion and the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The case is now back for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but the Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The decision found that symptoms of these conditions had onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted. The issue of service connection for a skin disability due to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and major depression, is granted with a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 25, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Service connection for vertigo, TBI residuals, and left hip disorder are also granted. However, service connection for the left knee disorder remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, as well as hepatitis C. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of a current disability without any in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective February 25, 2019. His hypertension and shoulder condition were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted TDIU from June 21, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and further development of his medical history.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from December 19, 2005 to August 17, 2011. The claim for TDIU prior to August 18, 2011 is denied due to lack of cooperation in providing necessary information.