PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has accepted the October 27, 2016 as timely and granted the appeal of the timeliness of the substantive appeal. The Veteran's claims for PTSD service connection, increased rating for left shoulder disability, and reopening of acquired mental disorder claim are all considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, and the increased rating and TDIU claims are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for TBI, PTSD, and tension headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider the interaction between the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and his non-service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran's current PTSD symptoms are associated with his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with OCD is now rated at 100% effective February 20, 2020. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran did not perfect an appeal of the denial in March 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total social or occupational impairment, thus denying a 100% rating for PTSD. For TDIU, while he met the schedular criteria with his combined disability rating of 80%, the Board determined he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault, including military sexual trauma (MST). The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding its relationship to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for a 'neurological issues' was recharacterized as Parkinson's disease and granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) including as secondary to PTSD. As a result, the Board dismissed this claim.

The Veteran's disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve was restored to 40 percent effective February 1, 2020.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to June 25, 2018. Beginning June 25, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted effective July 1, 2015. The effective date for the TDIU is determined to be July 1, 2015 due to unemployability caused by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless or require regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and exposure to environmental hazards. The VA will need to provide a thorough examination and opinion on these issues.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, posttraumatic headaches as secondary to TBI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for back condition and hypertension are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol, cocaine, and stimulant use disorder and for TDIU due to an inadequate VA examination in December 2019. The Veteran needs a new examination that addresses his entire service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and the relationship between his PTSD and service.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder also claimed as PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective from August 7, 2008. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending and the TDIU issue is remanded.