PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to the need for additional medical records and information from the Veteran. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on assessing the Veteran's functional limitations and whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The heart disability issue is dismissed. Service connection for PTSD, vertigo, plantar fasciitis, TBI, left wrist, bilateral ankle, bilateral elbow, and bilateral hand disabilities are remanded.

Service connection for PTSD and memory loss (claimed as dysthymic disorder) is denied.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including dysthymic disorder and depression, and residuals of a TBI are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to January 31, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for this period.

Service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is granted. A 70 percent rating, but not higher, for PTSD prior to November 15, 2010, is granted. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD as of after November 15, 2010, is denied. The Veteran's claim for hypertension exposure is remanded. TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that further development is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the July 2014 rating decision. The Board also granted a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his sternal scar was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for his CAD status post triple heart bypass, myocardial infarction and stent was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the need for further examination to determine if her diagnosed PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding separate ratings for headaches and fatigue/muscle weakness as residuals of malaria.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD prior to March 20, 2020 and from March 20, 2020 is being remanded due to the need for further development of the record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's in-service assault and her current PTSD symptoms, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was denied. The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence of a personal assault during service.,A rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with facet arthritis from August 21, 2015 to October 28, 2020 was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The rating for the residuals of broken nose is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent since December 13, 2019. Prior to that date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as due to chemical sensitivity. The claims file will be reviewed by an appropriate examiner who can address the etiology of the diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for PTSD and has remanded the issue of service connection for right elbow disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective July 11, 2014. The right hip limitation of extension and right femur fracture residuals are each granted separate noncompensable ratings as of April 14, 2018. Patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee is denied. Scars of the bilateral lower extremities are granted a separate 10 percent rating as of July 25, 2014.