PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since March 30, 2015. The Board found the symptoms did not meet or approximate total occupational and social impairment.,Left hip femoro-acetabular osteoarthritis based on limited extension has been rated at 10 percent since March 30, 2015. The Veteran's flexion is limited to at most 100 degrees with no significant additional loss of motion due to pain or flare-ups.

The Veteran's OSA requires the use of a CPAP machine, but does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of respiratory failure or tracheostomy.,PTSD symptoms cause reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating. The Veteran has maintained relationships and employment despite PTSD.,Lumbar spine disability does not meet criteria for higher than 20% rating based on forward flexion limitations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, bronchitis, PTSD, hypertension, and hypertensive heart disease due to lack of evidence supporting a direct link between these conditions and military service. The claims are also remanded for additional medical opinions regarding potential links to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements about her service experiences.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service experiences. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychotic features.

The Board has denied DIC benefits for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his TBI, PTSD, and alcohol abuse conditions and his military service. The Board also found no causal connection between his service-connected residuals, fracture, left thumb condition and his untimely death.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and other psychiatric conditions, are related to her service. The examiner must consider her treatment history and any possible over-reporting of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disorder, bilateral foot disorders, bilateral hip disorders, eye disorder, or skeletal arthritis. Service connection for headaches was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for upper right and left extremity neuropathy were denied. The claim for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to February 17, 2016, requires further development and readjudication due to procedural defects and additional evidence needed.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 50 percent from May 28, 2013 to August 13, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of psychiatric disorders during service and their relationship to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a personality disorder, was dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal. The appeals for bilateral knee and elbow disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent evaluation prior to August 10, 2020 and denied in excess of that rating thereafter. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran's death certificate lists PTSD as a contributory cause of death, and he had various psychiatric diagnoses post-service. Further investigation is needed to verify his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting an initial rating of 100 percent.