PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed and has stated that his inability to work was due to personal reasons rather than his disabilities.

The claims for service connection are being reconsidered due to newly received service treatment records. Service connection is granted for the skin condition, but other issues remain under review.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and migraine headaches have been granted higher ratings, but the Board has found further development is needed for other issues.,The Veteran's hypertension and right shoulder disability are also being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service assault. The Board has now granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his reported stressors and updated medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for TBI residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition with bilateral lower extremity numbness, right ankle condition, right heel condition, skin condition, and respiratory condition due to new and material evidence. These issues are remanded for further development.,The Board has also reopened the claims for these conditions but has not assigned a rating or effective date as the appeal is still in process.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is found to have had its onset during active service and is therefore service-connected.,Chronic bronchitis is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any other cause.,Essential tremors of the bilateral upper extremities are not service-connected as there is no link between the disability and service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for rating and effective date issues related to PTSD and DJD, L5 with thoracolumbar scoliosis as well as service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 50 percent to 0 percent, effective March 1, 2015. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 50 percent disability rating for the period from March 1, 2015 to June 26, 2017. The Veteran's PTSD is remanded for a new examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 5, 2012, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The original service connection decision was granted in January 2011 with a 30 percent rating and assigned from December 23, 1988. No NOD or new and material evidence was submitted within one year of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his claim for service connection is denied. The issue concerning Chapter 17 benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding back injury and bilateral atrophy of the testicles for further development.

The Veteran's vitamin D deficiency and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for PTSD from April 24, 2016 to September 19, 2017, but the ratings for PTSD in excess of 10%, 30%, and 70% have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee sprain, PTSD, abscess of the left ear, and myofascitis of the upper back, have impacted his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 23, 2019. The case is being referred for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their schedular ratings, and his employment history suggests he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance beginning May 25, 2016. The issue of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot due to the award of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his PTSD, headache disorder, and hypertension claims. The TDIU claim prior to September 25, 2015 remains pending.

The Board denied an effective date prior to June 27, 2014 for the grant of service connection for PTSD because the award was not based on new service department records received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for migraines and an earlier effective date for the increased rating were denied. The case was also remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his TBI, PTSD, and memory issues.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an extraschedular rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines and denied his claim for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for right elbow medial epicondylitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), right knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, intestinal neoplasm (claimed as colon cancer), liver abscess (claimed as liver disease), and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development.