PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he was laid off due to economic reasons rather than his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with dysthymic disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to an in-service sexual assault. The claim is based on new evidence received after previous denials.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TBI, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will need to obtain additional records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability, a respiratory condition including asthma and sleep apnea, and a back condition. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since September 2, 2020. The rating will remain in effect until further notice.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis and lumbar DDD, and an initial increased evaluation of PTSD to 70 percent. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions including right knee injury, heart disease, reflux, PTSD, diabetes type II, neck injury, and hypertension as there was no evidence of a current disability or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records, including missing personnel and medical records from service, treatment at Gardena Vet Center, and prison records. The Veteran's claims for PTSD will be further developed by obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder has been granted.,The claims for COPD, residuals of a right hamstring pull, bilateral hand disability, bilateral arm disability, and bilateral leg disability (other than residuals of a right hamstring pull) have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for unspecified trauma and stress-related disorder, service connection for PTSD, and sleep disturbance have been withdrawn.,The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia, which was denied as the evidence did not support that it was related to or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was granted as the evidence supported that his in-service stressor occurred and he met the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with TBI was denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating as the symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a pulmonary disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 29, 2016. The Board has granted TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to July 11, 2019.,The Veteran is granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD since September 28, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses at St. Charles Bend Medical Center is remanded due to changes in VA regulations regarding coverage under the PACT Act and other health-plan contracts. The case will be readjudicated after determining what, if any, expenses were paid by Medicare or other non-VA health-plan contracts.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, which prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as it is at least as likely as not related to a verified in-service stressor. The character of the Veteran’s discharge from service was found not to be a bar to VA benefits due to insanity.

The Veteran was not unemployable prior to September 16, 2011. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU for this period.