PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to December 15, 2015 is granted and his TDIU claim from that date forward is dismissed as moot. Sleep apnea and colon cancer service connection claims are also remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), but denied these claims due to lack of a verified stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% from December 1, 2010 to October 22, 2012; and since March 1, 2013. The rating has been increased to 70% effective September 16, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or a mood disorder, and his current anxiety disorder cannot be linked to his military service without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of fibromyalgia, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) for further examination and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for memory loss. The acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for diabetic retinopathy of left eye with macular edema and left foot osteomyelitis, status post left first ray amputation due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and asbestosis disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 21, 2011. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 15, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. For the back disability, the Board also found no evidence of impairment warranting a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate evaluation by a VA examiner in January 2016, and requests further clinical examination for a determination of any current mental illness, including PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, had its onset during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was rated as 10 percent disabling from June 24, 1994, to June 22, 2006.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome was rated as 10 percent disabling from February 7, 1996, to March 9, 2005.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been rated as noncompensable (mild) throughout the appeal period.,PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent from June 24, 1994, to August 19, 1998, and then increased to 70 percent from August 20, 1998, to March 9, 2005.,The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to January 1, 2003, and again from January 1, 2003, to March 9, 2005.

The Board has granted SMC at the intermediate rate between 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) and (m), but has remanded for a determination on whether a higher rate is warranted due to additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was dismissed because he did not submit the required VA Form 21-8940, which would have provided critical information necessary to adjudicate his claim. The evidence of record is insufficient to determine whether the Veteran has been rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes-related conditions, render him unable to continue working in any substantially gainful capacity. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 20, 2017 to January 30, 2018. The Board found that the evidence showed significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and PTSD disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 5, 2009. The Board denied entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular consideration basis.

The Veteran's right hand disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, effective January 26, 2021.,A 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the left hand digits was granted prior to January 3, 2020. The claim for a higher rating from that date remains denied.,The Veteran's left hand disability is rated as 10 percent disabling effective January 26, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,PTSD with dysthymic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was granted a 100 percent rating effective January 8, 2020. The Veteran's prior claims for increased ratings remain denied.