PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted, and the earliest possible effective date is July 15, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain and nose bleeds are pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disability and PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU, were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. However, the initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected anemia remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is granted with an effective date of September 20, 2013. The Veteran also receives Special Monthly Compensation at the housebound rate as of October 17, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the proposed reduction of disability ratings for PTSD, speech changes, and stooped posture was dismissed.,Entitlement to higher disability ratings for parkinsonism with left upper extremity tremor and bradykinesia, speech changes on the right side, and stooped posture on both sides is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and primary insomnia, is granted as service-connected. The low back disability and left knee disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and his in-service experiences. The Veteran is requested to provide a VA medical examination to determine if his PTSD resulted from or was aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, leading to the denial of SMC benefits for the period from August 24, 2020, through October 1, 2020. The appeal regarding SMC based on statutory housebound status is dismissed as moot.

The Board has identified an AOJ error in reducing, severing, and discontinuing the Veteran's VA compensation benefits due to 'fraud' under a regulation that is not applicable to his claims. The issues are remanded for providing a summary of the relevant regulations and readjudicating the cases.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence supports the claim. The decision is based on a private clinical opinion from Dr. L., who concluded that the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD due to his service in Iraq.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was restored to 70% effective October 1, 2020. A higher rating of 70% has been granted since February 19, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 30, 2020. As of that date, the Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and insomnia), headaches, traumatic brain injury, obstructive sleep apnea, knee disorders, foot disorders, ankle disorders, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, hip disorders, hand disorders, wrist disorders, lumbar spine disorders, shin disorders, cold injury disorders, upper extremity cold injury disorders. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis for these conditions during service or within one year of discharge and thus could not establish service connection.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and a 100 percent rating are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for mefloquine poisoning is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it meets the criteria for a direct service connection based on combat stressors and verified in-service events.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in symptoms of a greater severity than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, thus the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and for an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.