PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused his heroin addiction, which in turn led to hepatitis C.,The Veteran's current COPD was not related to any in-service respiratory issues.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to November 2, 2018 was denied. However, the Veteran received a 50 percent rating from that date onward.,Service connection for TBI was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, TBI, and migraine headaches due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports and gaps in the treatment records. The Veteran is requested to attend a VA examination to evaluate his current level of severity.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded for a new examination to determine if an increased rating is warranted. The Veteran also seeks TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanded for further evaluation of service connection claims related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, bruxism, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are denied, while the issue of increased rating for Thoracolumbar Muscle Strain (Lumbar Spine Disability) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and hearing loss, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and the case is remanded for further action regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and restless leg syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation of his disability.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. On or after February 13, 2015, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has found that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's lichen planus, and remands his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, migraines, and seizures as secondary to his service-connected lichen planus. The Veteran was not provided with adequate examinations or opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, including difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances at work and personal relationships. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claims for left knee, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis are remanded due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded, and his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder prior to December 5, 2022 was denied. The Veteran also received an award of TDIU effective May 2, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation during the period on appeal.