PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as being caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left knee disorders, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and fibromyalgia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with corroboration of in-service stressors and establishment of a causal relationship between current psychiatric disorders and service. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, unspecified trauma disorder, depression, and insomnia are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is granted.,Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for a supplemental VA medical opinion to determine if any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or unspecified depressive disorder, is related to the Veteran's in-service stressor involving a fire on the USS Ranger.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include ingrown toenails, post-surgical bunions of the feet, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted, but her claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD with traumatic brain injury is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence in the first instance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him so helpless that he requires personal assistance from others, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded to determine the increase in severity of his condition during the claim period and if there was a distinct period of worsening. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is part of the increased evaluation appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding higher staged initial ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, rated 50 percent prior to February 13, 2023, and 70 percent from that date.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a back disability, right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted effective October 1, 2017. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred as of this date based on medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted at a 50% disability rating prior to December 5, 2022 and increased to 70% thereafter. Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active-duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the remand directives have not been completed and another remand is necessary for further development, including obtaining opinions on service connection for psychiatric disorders, leg disabilities, and knee strains.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and earlier effective date for PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus did not worsen during service, and thus could not be granted on a theory of direct service connection. For PTSD, the Board determined that the earliest effective date was September 28, 2018, when the claim for an increased evaluation was received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected PTSD, right knee disabilities, and effective date claims. The case is being remanded for further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, arranging for examinations of the Veteran's right knee surgical scars and ligament injuries, and addressing the evaluation and effective date issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and for clarification on garnishment amounts.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran also received a TDIU for his PTSD alone.