PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as they were consistent with a 30%, 50%, and 70% disability rating. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 70% rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 28, 2017 for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depression, and PTSD due to MST is being remanded as the VA examiner did not consider all of her treatment records in determining that her conditions are less likely caused by service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), and skin disability are pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the current psychiatric disorder is not related to service, while the low back disability requires further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus have been dismissed. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right leg and foot, and TDIU prior to February 28, 2018 are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, LLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and LLE femoral nerve radiculopathy are all denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his OSA. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his functional impairment associated with his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, pseudoseizures, obstructive sleep apnea, and right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is related to his service, specifically loading and unloading bodies onto aircrafts. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD with ADHD, based on all evidence of record including a March 2020 VA contract psychiatric examination report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim to obtain an additional etiological opinion addressing the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and OSA, as well as any incremental increase in disability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions reasonably precluded gainful employment prior to August 2, 2016. An effective date prior to this date for the award of a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and voiding dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 29, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed PTSD diagnosis, including stressors from his service in South Korea. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding additional stressors that may support the current PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disability (depression and PTSD), migraine headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lateral instability, post-operative patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and surgical scars of the left knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions aggravated his substance abuse disorder, which may have contributed to his death. The VA needs to obtain an updated medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. Service connection for bruxism as secondary to PTSD is granted, but the Veteran's TDIU claim remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a maximum of 70 percent effective February 6, 2020.,An initial 60 percent rating for ulcerative colitis is granted.