PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU, but the issues of increased ratings for PTSD and other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed as it had already been granted in a previous decision. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, memory disorder, and PTSD, was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and insomnia, finding that there was no medical nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective August 13, 2012. The appellant is entitled to attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in the August 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus rendered him unable to work as of October 1, 2014. The Board finds that he is unemployable due to his disabilities from this date.

The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and migraine headaches have been granted initial ratings of 10%, 70%, and 50% respectively.

The Veteran's PTSD, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, granulomatous lung disease and service connection for testosterone disorder are granted with effective dates of July 12, 2017. Service connection for GERD is denied. The Veteran's skin conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied, as the objective medical evidence did not show that the severity, frequency and duration of his PTSD more closely approximated total occupational and social impairment.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.,An effective date prior to October 6, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine arthritis with lumbar spondylolisthesis (lumbar spine disability) is denied.,An effective date of March 28, 2008, and no earlier, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD evaluation remains at 50 percent, with a remand to consider an increased rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains at 10 percent, with a remand to consider an increased rating.,The Veteran's RLE radiculopathy remains at 20 percent, with a remand to consider an increased rating.,TDIU is granted based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and verifying Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to a related allegation of clear and unmistakable error in a May 1996 rating decision. The issue will be adjudicated again by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to the need for a new VA psychological examination, considering the Veteran's personal assault during service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a psychiatric disorder manifested by insomnia due to outstanding treatment records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's right hip conditions were rated based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to his PTSD, as his symptoms were consistent with his current 30% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressors, specifically military sexual trauma. The Veteran will be notified and given an opportunity to provide additional information.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, breast cancer residuals, cholecystectomy residuals, right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot injury, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), traumatic brain injury with residuals, memory loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, and tinnitus have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but they have not more nearly approximated total social and occupational impairment. An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is dismissed.,Service connection granted for right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and headaches as a residual of TBI.