PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and Persian Gulf Syndrome due to additional evidence being added to the record after a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) was issued.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Veteran's service connection for discoid lupus and initial disability rating for PTSD are granted, but the issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has denied an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of verified stressors and willful misconduct, which precludes compensation for substance abuse.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a left arm disability due to lack of current diagnoses in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Coronary Artery Disease was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 50% for PTSD, and the criteria for a higher rating are not met. For Coronary Artery Disease, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10% prior to August 23, 2016, or in excess of 60% thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a skin disorder. The Board found that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors related to military sexual trauma (MST) and that the Veteran's reported history of MST is inconsistent with other evidence.,The Board also determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder or a skin disorder that began during service, as her symptoms were not present until years after separation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence not previously reviewed by the AOJ.

Service connection for COPD is granted from August 10, 2022, due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service in the Persian Gulf. The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension are not rated higher.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined disability rating of 60% does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board also found no evidence to support referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70% disability rating starting from May 11, 2020. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted an increased rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 18, 2015. Beginning May 18, 2015, the Veteran experienced significant impairments including irritability, anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, decreased concentration, and avoidance behaviors. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD beginning on that date.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder in early remission are currently rated at 70 percent, effective from November 29, 2017 to October 13, 2020. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a rating of 100 percent due to lack of total occupational and social impairment. TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral ear disability as she withdrew her appeals prior to a decision being made. The claims of service connection for multiple sclerosis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for back and PTSD, as well as claims for sleep apnea, bilateral ankle, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The VA will conduct additional examinations and gather medical records to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's flexion contracture of the left fifth digit PIP has been granted an initial compensable rating.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder strain is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal on this issue.,Service connection for spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side and hypertension are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted on a presumptive basis due to his Persian Gulf service. Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability related to his Persian Gulf service, and headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected somatization disorder.,The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for somatization disorder with depressive disorder, NOS, PTSD and memory loss prior to September 6, 2019 is granted. The issue of a higher rating after that date remains pending.