PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding service connection for ischemic heart disease and the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 11, 2011. The inextricably intertwined issue of an increased rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 11, 2011 is also remanded.,The Veteran's appeal includes a request for service connection for ischemic heart disease (claimed as mildly prominent aorta and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)). The Board finds that additional development is needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in service and his AAA. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 11, 2011 requires further consideration as it may impact the increased rating claim for PTSD.,The Veteran's appeal also includes an increased rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 11, 2011. The Board finds that additional development is needed regarding the functional impact of PTSD on the Veteran's ability to perform occupational activities prior to May 11, 2011.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective June 24, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not begin during service or are otherwise etiologically related to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, status-post myocardial infarction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from April 8, 2014 to May 29, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from August 9, 2010 to October 9, 2018. Effective October 10, 2018, the Veteran received a 100% rating for his PTSD. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains August 9, 2010.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD. However, it denied service connection due to lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during active service and his current PTSD symptoms are related to this stressor.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's other conditions are also found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent from December 8, 2009. A TDIU rating is granted as of February 1, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective April 13, 2017, and denied for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and panic disorder, is rated at 70 percent from August 11, 2011. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as determined by VA examiners.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression, cannabis, and alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent since January 31, 2013. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating or service connection for the right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea as a result of service-connected disability is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) prior to December 7, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) from December 7, 2020, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) prior to December 7, 2020, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) from December 7, 2020, a compensable initial rating for erectile dysfunction, a compensable initial rating for bilateral diabetic retinopathy prior to February 5, 2021, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral diabetic retinopathy from February 5, 2021.,The Veteran also withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to December 7, 2020 and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to December 7, 2020.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with IVDS was dismissed, while his PTSD claim and TDIU claim were both granted.,For the appeal period prior to April 8, 2014, the Veteran received a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of VA mental health treatment notes since the September 2018 Supplemental Statement of the Case. The TDIU claim remains pending as it relates to the increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the June 2015 remand directives and thus another remand is required. The VA medical opinion should address whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities had their clinical onset in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).