PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided that a new examination is needed due to the Veteran's reported worsening symptoms and new social and occupational impairment related to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, CFS, lumbar and dorsal spine disorders, right wrist disorder, and right knee disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further investigation and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and obtain additional medical records in order to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his claimed conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds this rating to be appropriate.,For the period from October 31, 2014, to June 9, 2022, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with residual of painful range of motion and scoliosis post-fracture is rated at 40 percent. The Board finds this rating to be appropriate.,For the period from June 10, 2022, onward, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with residual of painful range of motion and scoliosis post-fracture is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds this rating to be appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, plantar fasciitis, and scar left hand ring finger precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 24, 2014. The Board granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the case is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his PTSD. The case for a skin disability is also remanded as no VA examination has been conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to in-service personal assaults, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is not related to his military service and denied service connection for PTSD. The issues of service connection for Anxiety condition, Major Depression, Sleep Disturbances, and Drug Abuse are remanded due to a lack of opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, vertigo, GERD, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the evidence does not show a current disability of PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a new examination. The appeal for scars of the left anterior chest and right posterior chest was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was dismissed because he failed to provide the necessary information and documentation as requested by VA, resulting in his abandonment of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 1, 2014. The issue of TDIU is denied as the evidence does not show that his disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from December 27, 2017. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, resulting in a denial of a rating in excess of 70 percent. From May 16, 2019 to October 1, 2021, the issue of TDIU was moot as he had a maximum schedular rating (100%). From October 1, 2021 onwards, TDIU was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claim for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from December 18, 2017 to May 1, 2020 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's glioblastoma multiforme is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and thus granted for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a separate rating for his TBI due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his back disorder and the nature and severity of his TBI.