PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and various peripheral neuropathies as well as PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a higher initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective April 24, 2017. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is dismissed as the PTSD alone meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in June 2011, but the Board has now granted reopening of this claim and service connection for bipolar disorder. The decision also grants service connection for any psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive features, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been remanded due to secondary service connection.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, but the issue of service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment is not in a protected environment and he has not demonstrated marginal employment. The preponderance of evidence does not support the conclusion that his service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the evidence is inadequate for adjudicative purposes as the VA examination report, and its corresponding medical opinion, were formulated pursuant to the DSM-IV. The Board finds remand necessary for an adequate examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is denied. The Board found that the increase in severity of PTSD and major depression occurred within one year prior to the date of claim, making June 26, 2019, the appropriate effective date.

The Board found that the appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in September 2019, and the amount of fees was calculated correctly.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further clarification regarding the presence of PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine if he has any acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for these actions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, but no higher, throughout the period on appeal. The symptoms include suicidal ideation, near-continuous depression, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection and a higher rating for PTSD was granted, with an effective date of August 10, 2017. The Veteran is currently rated at the 70 percent disability level.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied by the Board, as his psychiatric symptomatology more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 21, 2019 for service-connected PTSD was granted. The Veteran also received a rating increase to 30 percent for his PTSD from August 21, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective October 14, 2019. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal of the September 14, 2017 rating decision is granted as his December 2018 VA Form 9 was timely filed. The Board found that the July 2018 SOC was not properly provided to the Veteran and his attorney, leading to a delay in the response period for the appeal.

The Veteran's OSA is service connected as it was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is requested to provide additional records and undergo VA examinations.