PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to March 4, 2019, and to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent from that date. The evidence did not support an increase in severity during the year before the receipt of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to his in-service stressor of participating in the Detroit Riots while on active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating since April 15, 2011. The evidence shows significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, the highest possible rating. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as his other service-connected disabilities do not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, granting an initial disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board finds new evidence supports a possible link between his psychiatric disorders and his military service. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 2009. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU until September 22, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, recurrent, and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetic retinopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claims for cerebellar condition, hypertension, prostate condition, kidney disability, scars, back disability, cervical spine disability, GERD, erectile dysfunction, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. ,Service connection was granted for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, with sleep apnea being secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status prior to October 26, 2016 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or greater.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to May 28, 2019 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being permanently and substantially confined to his immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability evaluation for PTSD was granted at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2017. The VA increased the rating to 70 percent from May 25, 2017 but only effective from that date. The appeal is denied as the Veteran's PTSD does not meet or nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated with additional examinations and information.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for skin cancer of the face and head, as well as PTSD, need to be remanded due to lack of VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to attempt rescheduling the Veteran for VA or contracted examinations closer to his residence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and chronic fatigue syndrome due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, keratosis punctata, and tinea cruris did not cause or contribute to his death from vascular dementia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's service-connected conditions to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and therapy records from a private therapist. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for these records to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate evaluations and need for further examinations. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, heart disability, hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, sleep apnea, and headaches.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD was increased from 30% to 70%, effective May 4, 2022. The decision also granted a TDIU rating since January 30, 2015.