PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximated a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury was granted a 70 percent rating prior to August 9, 2017. A higher rating is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to left shoulder, back, hearing loss, tinnitus, right-hand disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD and depression) are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to provide a medical examination or obtain an opinion if it is necessary to make a decision on these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding VA treatment records, as well as inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD, hypertension, lumbosacral spine disability, and OSA is granted with an effective date of May 19, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD, migraines, and asthma.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI are rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating due to reduced reliability and productivity. The lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, and knee disabilities have been rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because the evidence does not show that his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to errors in the decision-making process, including a failure to consider all diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders and an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from August 3, 2009 to December 28, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD with MDD and somatic symptoms disorder, coronary artery disease, and individual unemployability have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and alcohol substance abuse has been rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal. The Board now grants a 70 percent rating, but no higher, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder with subthreshold PTSD symptoms, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam. The decision was based on a positive nexus opinion provided by the Veteran's treating VA psychologist and supported by consistent statements of the Veteran regarding his experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to January 7, 2020 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and heart disorder are remanded due to insufficient development. Service connection for sarcoidosis is granted based on herbicide exposure.,Service connection for sarcoidosis is granted as the Veteran has demonstrated exposure to burn pits, which qualifies him under presumptive service connection criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety and PTSD was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted as his reported in-service stressor event has been sufficiently corroborated and linked to his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and lack of clarity regarding service connection for depression and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 17, 2019. The Board denied an increased rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD prior to April 9, 2013 and from June 1, 2013, as the evidence does not show that his disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.