PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD and a higher rating for an appendectomy scar. The claim of service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, is remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various foot disabilities, sterility, kidney cysts, and a left varicocele disability have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for a right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding them for additional development to obtain medical opinions and verify stressors.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), nerve problems with anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disorder and breathing disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including missing service treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical information and release forms.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and TDIU prior to May 21, 2021 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is now pending again.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a higher rating of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 10, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50% prior to November 15, 2017 and 70% beginning November 15, 2017. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's IBS diagnosis is from a private gastroenterologist within one year after separation from service in 1987. The VA examiner will need to determine if the Veteran's subjective symptoms since 2010 support a diagnosis of IBS while his prior symptoms did not. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the VA examiner will need to identify any current mental health diagnoses and determine their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from November 19, 2015 and onwards due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating for these conditions is 80%.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a back disorder, denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, right hip disorder, and right leg disorder. The Veteran did not have current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his hypertension claim. The PTSD rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim, specifically on whether his acquired psychiatric disorder (including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD) is related to his in-service head injury and/or his service-connected TBI residuals.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, PTSD with major depression, and intermittent explosive disorder, are found to be related to his period of military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 29, 2013. Therefore, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.