PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death is granted due to his service-connected coronary artery disease and diabetes, which materially contributed to his death. However, DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as the Veteran did not meet the requirements for a total disability rating at any point prior to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD to include cocaine use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use has been rated at 100% since October 22, 2012. The Board denied a temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 for hospitalization in excess of 21 days due to PTSD, as well as a temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based upon convalescence following surgery, because no qualifying surgical procedure was identified.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates for service connection. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined with other claims, necessitating remand to address all matters.

The Veteran's appeals for an effective date prior to February 7, 2017 and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to her death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral flat feet, and a bilateral shin disability are remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical examination and review of records, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed assault during basic training and its relationship to her current psychiatric condition.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's claim for left hand disability was also denied.

An initial rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, effective from October 16, 2012. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for PTSD, tinnitus, and sleep apnea, effective from October 16, 2012. The issue of TDIU for dermatophytosis is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, which he attributes to in-service stressors including a physical assault and living in small quarters during service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and an unspecified anxiety disorder, as well as service connection for bone fractures. The appeal was remanded multiple times but the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disorders, both secondary to a service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to obtain VA treatment records and an inadequate examination, which could impact the evaluation of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has found that remand is required for the Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine sprain claims due to lack of recent VA treatment records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private medical records, and he will be scheduled for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and hypertension, but the psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it involves a complex medical issue.

The Board has decided that the issue of whether sleep apnea is related to service-connected PTSD needs further clarification and a new opinion from VA medical professionals.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board denied a higher rating and also denied entitlement to TDIU based on the effects of his service-connected disabilities in aggregate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 24, 2017.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded.