PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ankle condition, hip condition, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), need further investigation. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's reported stressor and obtain outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent under either Diagnostic Code 5276 or Diagnostic Code 5269. For TDIU, the Veteran met the schedular criteria and the Board granted an extraschedular TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 22, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there was no current non-PTSD psychiatric disability and attributing all symptoms to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for PTSD, gunshot wound to left gastrocnemius with scar, and bronchial asthma due to lack of case or controversy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that his current condition is related to his active service and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence that a pre-existing psychiatric disorder existed at entry into service. The Veteran's stressors were not verified, and his current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 24, 2010, for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and anxiety disorder) is granted. The Board finds that from August 24, 2010, it was factually ascertainable that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's fracture of the left fifth toe with degenerative joint disease is granted a 20% rating. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors. Service connection for Major Depression is remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death was determined to be related to his service-connected PTSD, which contributed to the sepsis caused by untreated dental issues. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, effective from December 2, 2013. Service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea disorder, and headache disorder are found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's headaches and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his increased ratings of PTSD and pleural cavity injury, finding that new and material evidence was not received within one year of the June 26, 2006 rating decisions.

The Board has found that the duty to assist this Veteran has not been fulfilled and a remand is required to acquire outstanding private medical records related to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to TDIU since August 14, 2019 due to service-connected COPD and PTSD preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and PTSD are service-connected, but his TDIU claim prior to September 7, 2017 is being remanded for consideration of an extra-schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to April 4, 2017 due to insufficient evidence indicating whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, as well as his death certificate.