PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of a 100 percent disability evaluation effective March 15, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating from December 14, 2015 to June 22, 2018. The evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate addressing of a theory discussed in Walsh v. Wilkie, where obesity can serve as an intermediate step between a service-connected disability and a claimed disability in the context of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted effective July 26, 2005. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 4, 2021 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's body pain, hemorrhoids, dry eye syndrome, and stomach hernia were not incurred in service.,Service connection for bronchitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, to include as due to MST. The case is being referred back for a new VA examination and additional records.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU prior to July 2, 2020, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 15, 2015. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and TDIU prior to July 15, 2015, has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 28, 2017, TDIU prior to April 28, 2017, and DEA benefits prior to April 28, 2017, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus condition and his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of a sinus-related condition or other service-connected disabilities that would allow for a TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an August 2018 decision and effectuated in a September 2018 rating decision. The appellant requested withdrawal of the issues on appeal.

An earlier effective date of August 31, 2004, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted.,For the period from August 31, 2004, to March 8, 2011, an increased 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD for the period from March 8, 2011, is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions, including PTSD, cervical spondylolysis, peripheral neuralgia, myalgia, and myofascial pain syndrome.

The Board has expanded the claim from PTSD to include an acquired psychiatric disability, and finds that further development is necessary due to inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's VA treatment records indicate other diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, and MDD which were not addressed in the previous examination.

The Board denied the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on his occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's GERD and pilonidal scar claims are both denied as the evidence does not support the assignment of any compensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private treatment records, specifically those from Greenleaf Behavioral Center where the Veteran was hospitalized for suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts in August 2020. The VA will seek these records and any additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective October 3, 2022. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to May 17, 2017, is moot as the Veteran is already receiving a total disability rating due to his PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement (NOD) was timely filed, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.