PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's right eye pterygium, respiratory condition (asthma), cervical spine disability, left shoulder condition, hypertension, bilateral upper extremities numbness and cramps, dental issues, and PTSD. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is related to a stressor event during his service. The Board granted the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from February 9, 2016.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, degenerative lumbar spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities (rhabdomyosarcoma is not a condition, but radiculopathy is attributed to it), diabetes mellitus type II, psoriasis, and hypertensive heart disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 9, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating determinations as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disability, as well as an increased rating for right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA examinations to clarify diagnoses and determine etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and the potential existence of private treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as depression, is related to his experiences in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment as of November 25, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total social and occupational impairment from August 29, 2013 to March 11, 2019. From March 12, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD met criteria for a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran has had radiculopathy of the right lower extremity since August 18, 2014 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity since August 18, 2014. Both conditions have been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from February 15, 2017 through May 7, 2019.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The Veteran needs to provide authorization and VA should request his SSA records, as well as non-VA medical care from Drs. H and E. A VA examination is required for both his claimed acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia) and stomach disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has expanded the claim to include all psychiatric disabilities reasonably raised by the record. The Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is remanded due to incomplete VA examinations and the need for further medical evaluation.

Service connection for a left foot disorder, diagnosed as flat foot and tarsal coalition, is granted. The appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and cocaine use disorder is denied as the earliest date of entitlement arose was September 25, 2020.

An increased rating of 70 percent for the service-connected PTSD from February 9, 2015 to May 8, 2021 is granted.,An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected PTSD from May 8, 2021 is denied.

The Board has determined that readjudication of the claims for service connection for schizophrenia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is warranted. However, before addressing the merits of the claims, a remand is necessary to correct an error in the duty to assist that occurred prior to the issuance of the June 2019 SOC. Specifically, another VA examination and medical opinion must be obtained to clarify the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal of the reduction in his disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 50% is dismissed because he and his representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.