PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as he has been employed since May 2016 and meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was improperly reduced from 70 to 50 percent, and the Board has restored a 70 percent rating effective February 1, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) and a right knee disability. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating for the entire period on appeal. The issues of increased ratings for GERD, scars, and left foot disability are remanded. Service connection for unspecified bilateral foot disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment since February 10, 2014.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, but remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 24, 2022 is remanded as the evidence suggests he may be entitled to an extraschedular rating due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran's Lumbar Strain claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder was denied in April 2021. The Court granted a remand in April 2022.,Since August 23, 2021, the Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 70 percent for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 6, 2010 for the grant of a TDIU is granted. The appeal as to his request for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, claimed as acute reactive depression; diabetes mellitus; dermatitis; and toenail onychomycosis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with panic attacks, MDD and unspecified anxiety disorder with panic attacks, finding that it had its onset during service due to a personal assault.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's myasthenia gravis, specifically whether it is related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including the need for verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for one or more daily injections of insulin and restricted diet.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a major extremity.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis of a minor extremity.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, meeting the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Erectile dysfunction is not compensably disabling.,Hypothyroidism is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Sebaceous cyst of the thoracic area is not compensably disabling.,Hiatal hernia (previously rated as a chronic digestive condition) is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused his diabetes, which in turn contributed to his death. The VA must obtain additional medical records and provide a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's type II diabetes.