PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding when the Veteran became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation and whether he needs aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and requests for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 9, 2013 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, specifically records from his treatment at the North Charleston Vet Center. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is as likely as not related to a service incident, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete employment and income information provided by the Veteran. The Board requests clarification on his employment history and earnings since June 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the previous decision, including an inadequate VA medical opinion and failure to consider lay statements. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is believed to have caused or contributed to his death by causing him to refuse hospitalization prior to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to insufficient evidence of total social or occupational impairment. The Veteran maintains full-time employment despite his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from July 10, 2014, forward. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for IBS and service connection for PTSD are being sent back to the AOJ for further review due to new evidence submitted.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date prior to October 18, 2015 for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is not warranted. The Veteran's claim was submitted on October 18, 2015 and a complete claim was filed in December 2015. An evaluation in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, Panic Disorder, and Recurrent Depressive Disorder was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for these psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 23, 2009. The appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from March 17, 2018 is dismissed due to abandonment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to his ability to manage finances, work, and socialize with few acquaintances.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective February 1, 2017. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the original 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is found to have caused his cerebral infarction (stroke). From November 15, 2016, the Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetic neuropathy, or obesity caused his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased 70 percent rating, but the issue of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.