PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as there are no symptoms that warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD, to include symptoms of TBI, is restored to a 70 percent disability rating effective April 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner must determine if it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition had its onset during or was otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 1, 2017. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD due to the severity of her symptoms not warranting a total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was granted a 70 percent rating, effective from November 21, 2019. The decision also noted that the Veteran had other conditions such as depression and anxiety.

A 70% rating for PTSD is granted from August 27, 2014 through November 6, 2015.,Prior to November 5, 2015, a 20% rating for cervical strain is denied. An effective date of January 26, 2012, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of a 20% rating for left shoulder sprain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar strain was granted. The TDIU claim was dismissed, and the PTSD rating is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for all acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and MDD, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that there is at least a reasonable possibility that his PTSD is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals regarding PTSD and major depression/bipolar disorder, which were dismissed due to the withdrawal of appeal.

Entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD with associated depression and anxiety is denied. The Veteran's symptoms are more closely approximated by a 50 percent disability rating.,Entitlement to TDIU is denied as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The GERD with IBS has not met the criteria for a higher than 10% rating. The retained shrapnel in the left hand does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The right foot plantar fasciitis with heel spur and fractured fourth toe is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to July 7, 2016 and from March 1, 2017 was denied. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 1, 2017 was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, specifically whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, obesity, left knee disability, or low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate nexus opinion from a February 2020 VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravated his sleep apnea. The claim is now pending for further review.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's anxiety is part of his service-connected PTSD and does not warrant a separate diagnosis.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and calcaneal spurs of the feet as secondary to bilateral knee replacements. The issue of service connection for OSA, secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The appeal for left arm fracture residuals is dismissed. The appeal as to whether new or material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for PTSD is granted, but the issues of compensable initial rating for nose fracture and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. An initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted prior to August 8, 2016, and an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's motion for reversal or revision of the June 2018 decision was granted, and she is now entitled to a 70 percent disability rating for major depression and PTSD. The appeal for restoration of the 100 percent rating has been denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating for PTSD, which covers his entire appeal period.