PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that there are outstanding service treatment records and a more current examination is needed for both sleep apnea and TBI. The Veteran's OSA may be related to his obesity, but the relationship with PTSD needs further clarification. For TBI, a new examination is required as the most recent one is from almost 6 years ago.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and GERD due to insufficient retrospective opinions addressing relevant symptoms and their impact on personal relationships, as well as inconsistencies in reported symptoms. The Veteran is asked to provide all outstanding treatment records and a VA examination will be scheduled to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical records and stressor verification are needed.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain a retrospective VA medical opinion for the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence from December 28, 2012 to January 4, 2017. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to April 25, 2022. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is linked to in-service personal assault, and there is credible supporting evidence of the stressor.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The claims for PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, insomnia, chronic headaches, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for adjustment disorder, PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, and thoracolumbar spine disorder have been granted effective from October 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric condition, but the claim was initially limited to PTSD.

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, effective April 15, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU from September 30, 1998, based on the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent episodes of major depression is granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and lumbosacral strain were granted with an effective date of August 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on PTSD, epicondylitis of the elbows, left knee strain with meniscal tear, and IBS with GERD are being remanded due to additional VA medical records that have not yet been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder have been rated at a 100 percent disability rating since September 30, 2014. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran now receives a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD with MDD was denied as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, which is required for a 100% rating. The existing 70% rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of performing daily activities or require regular assistance to protect himself from hazards, thus SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has granted a TDIU from April 16, 2012. However, the case is remanded for consideration of whether a TDIU was warranted prior to that date on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims, evaluations of disabilities, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction evaluation was withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to missing treatment records and incomplete service personnel records. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining the necessary documents.