PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and depression are now rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, as the VA has not considered whether his unemployability is due to service-connected disabilities. The Board will refer these issues for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The case is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his PTSD claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle condition due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied, as the evidence did not show that his PTSD caused deficiencies in most areas such as work and social functioning.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied because he met the schedular requirements but failed to demonstrate that his combined disability rating of 70 percent precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that adequate steps were not taken to provide a VA examination prior to the October 2019 rating decision on appeal for PTSD. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to correct this pre-decisional error.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,PTSD is granted as it was caused by an in-service stressor.

Service connection is granted for PTSD with GAD, sleep impairment as part of PTSD and GAD, right elbow enthesopathy, left ankle gout, and left knee gout. Service connection is denied for gout, claimed as joint pain.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, and left knee disorder due to potential errors in the record regarding the Veteran's military service. The AOJ is instructed to search for additional records under a former name and social security number.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and unspecified trauma related disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not related to service.,Her migraine headaches are found to clearly and unmistakably preexist service and were aggravated by an in-service assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% for the entire period of appeal, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA regulations.,PTSD and GAD are currently rated at 50 percent prior to March 25, 2019. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained consistent employment over the years and his current symptoms do not prevent him from performing his work in his chosen profession.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and requires further consideration. The Veteran is being asked to waive initial AOJ review of this new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU from January 22, 2019 through October 19, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted as his reported in-service stressor of close enemy mortar attacks in Iraq is supported and related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.,The Veteran's cervical spine, headaches, and skin disability claims are denied as they have no known clinical basis and are not due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board has denied increased ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2018 for a 100 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder and major depression with PTSD and trichotillomania was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for costochondritis with restrictive lung disease and asthma is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, effective February 13, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.