PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD, right knee degenerative arthritis, and non-service-connected left foot drop. Further examination is needed to distinguish between the effects of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left leg varicose veins, right leg varicose veins, chronic hepatitis C, hyperthyroidism, acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), hypertension (HTN), cellulitis, and colon polyps due to a scheduling error preventing VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not substantially complied with, and thus the case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating prior to January 23, 2017 and granted TDIU for this period. For the period beginning January 23, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is not rated higher than 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with anxiety, is not related to service due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 13, 2015, is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his employment history is unclear and he has worked at times throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s) clearly and unmistakably preexisted his period of active service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion addressing these elements.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his work and education background, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar I disorder with mood congruent psychotic features has been granted an initial 100 percent rating since the effective date of service connection (November 23, 2013). The decision is based on symptoms causing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from March 10, 2013 to April 10, 2013. He also received a TDIU and SMC based on his service-connected PTSD during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals from a bilateral foot surgery, and left leg nerve damage are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine his current diagnoses and their relationship to service. Additionally, the TDIU claim must be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression. The Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service, and he was diagnosed with PTSD by a VA psychiatrist and a private psychologist.

The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and granted a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted. His obstructive sleep apnea is also granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric conditions. Right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, and right knee meniscal tear are all granted. Left knee degenerative arthritis and left knee strain are granted. Low back disabilities are granted. The Veteran's lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. His bilateral plantar fasciitis rating from December 3, 2019, is increased to 50%.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from June 23, 2016. The Board also granted entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's mental health disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, was found to have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to January 31, 2019. The VA has granted a 70 percent evaluation for this period.

The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression/dysthymic disorder is reopened, but further development is needed as the July 2017 VA examination did not address all diagnosed conditions.