PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depression due to MST, are etiologically related to his military sexual trauma during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from September 5, 2019. The Board found that the disability manifests in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from June 13, 2010. The reduction in rating for bilateral cataracts was remanded due to inadequate SOC addressing its propriety. The compensable rating for bilateral cataracts is also remanded as the criteria were revised effective May 2018.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural errors and incomplete evidence, including missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was dismissed because the appellant requested withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD and right ankle traumatic arthritis were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's left eye disorder is denied as not related to service or a current disability. Other issues such as eczema, respiratory disorders, psychiatric conditions, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorders are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his active duty service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Board has determined that the schedular criteria were not met prior to June 14, 2017, but there is sufficient evidence to show he was unable to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and OSA are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The rating for his PTSD is maintained at 50%.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective October 6, 2020. Service connection for his neck disability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation at all times during the appeal period, leading to a TDIU from August 31, 2010 to March 1, 2018. The Board has remanded his claim for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 10, 2010 to May 4, 2019. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and schizo-affective disorder, but has remanded the cases due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a written withdrawal from the Veteran, and the need for further development including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder with Melancholic Features, is granted. However, the initial rating of 50% prior to March 9, 2018, and from March 9, 2018, to October 1, 2018, remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the cervical spine and PTSD have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 19, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 6, 2017. Prior to May 7, 2019, he was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD. A TDIU is also granted as of April 6, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating greater than 60% for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, TDIU, SMC based on need for aid and attendance, spousal aid and attendance allowance, service connection for chest pain, reopening of PTSD claim, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for alcohol use disorder. The appeal was also remanded for service connection determinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence received since the last decision, including VA treatment records and a May 2020 VA PTSD examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as the full employment history needs to be clarified by obtaining updated SSA earnings statements.