PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 29, 2017, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse. The effective date is based on the earliest date entitlement to such a rating was shown.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health disabilities, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective July 9, 2018. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 1, 2014 is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for a determination on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain have been withdrawn. The TDIU claim has also been denied as the evidence is insufficient to establish that his service-connected disabilities alone are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety is granted. The Board finds the evidence to be in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The private examiner opined that it was more likely than not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling an updated psychiatric examination for PTSD and assessing the Veteran's ability to care for daily needs due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% effective July 1, 2013. The Board finds remand necessary to secure VA treatment records and determine the Veteran's income as a personal trainer between July 9, 2012 and February 25, 2013.

The Veteran was granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from May 7, 2010, to March 31, 2013, due to the combined effects of service-connected disabilities preventing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim prior to November 25, 2019, is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and mood disorder have been dismissed. The claims of service connection for residual of TBI, cervical spine disorder, and respiratory disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA treatment records and private counseling records that have not been obtained. The AOJ will need to secure these records for review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for cause of death, left foot disability, and an initial higher rating for PTSD due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to insufficient evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether dementia is a symptom or separate diagnosis related to PTSD and its impact on the need for regular aid and attendance. The Veteran's SMC rate may be affected by this determination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU prior to January 30, 2009 are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in not addressing a relevant in-service stressor, specifically whether the Veteran's Chief Bosun Mate lost rank due to calling him a racial slur. The case is now being returned for further development and examination.

The Board has found that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran was also requested to provide information about any correctional facility where he was incarcerated.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with MDD, is granted a disability rating of 70 percent but no higher prior to February 21, 2014. From that date forward, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's initial rating for TBI with PTSD was denied, and service connection for TBI was granted at a 70 percent disability rating effective January 10, 2017. The case is now before the Board to determine if an increased rating beyond 70 percent is warranted.