PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to November 4, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct.,Service connection for the Veteran’s cause of death is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent evaluation from September 29, 2015 to April 19, 2022. A higher rating for PTSD beyond this period is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to PTSD therapy.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his combat service during the Persian Gulf War. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his service-connected disabilities aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his OSA.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, and other acquired psychiatric disorders not related to PTSD. The decision is based on the lack of a medical nexus between the current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from September 2, 2013; increased to 50 percent from October 13, 2017; and further increased to 70 percent from April 7, 2022. The claim is still on appeal for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for PTSD prior to December 23, 2019 is granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD after December 23, 2019 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective September 25, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and personal trauma is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed because he did not file a timely VA Form 9 after receiving the October 2017 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's PTSD prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning October 2, 2013. Effective September 8, 2021, the Veteran has a single disability rated as 100 percent (PTSD) and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, meeting criteria for SMC based on statutory housebound status. The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to October 16, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter is warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to attend VA examinations. The RO is instructed to make efforts to schedule the Veteran for necessary medical examinations at his prison.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether there is sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to July 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD due to MST and GAD is denied. The evidence does not support a finding of occupational and social impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to incomplete development and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, as well as his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and anxiety, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding verified in-service stressors.

The Board has decided that the reduction of PTSD rating from 70% to 30% was proper, but has also determined that a remand is necessary due to possible worsening of symptoms.