PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is about the initial compensable rating for fibromyalgia. The Board has decided to remand this issue due to new evidence and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The RO has assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10% for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, hip disabilities, ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, inguinal hernia, psychiatric disorders, and dyslipidemia. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The reduction of the evaluation from 70 percent to 50 percent for service-connected PTSD was proper, and the criteria for restoring a 70 percent disability rating have not been met. The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) on schedular basis prior to January 1, 2015, and on an extraschedular basis thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (other than major depression) is granted. The rating for his major depression is denied, as are the ratings for his back and lower extremity radiculopathy issues. His left thumb scar also remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of a diagnosis and an incomplete medical record. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional information and records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD, maintaining the current 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD caused suicidal ideation, violent outbursts, reclusiveness, chronic sleep impairment, avoidance of triggers, weekly panic attacks, nightmares, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, and other symptoms. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from September 12, 2012 to May 1, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and reopening the claim for erectile dysfunction have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder (later recharacterized as PTSD) is denied because the earliest date of claim was August 22, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 30 percent rating as of June 25, 2018. The appeal was granted for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, has been granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's in-service stressors for PTSD and to determine if his erectile dysfunction is related to his PTSD or medications.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, left knee disability, and duodenal ulcer was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of occupational and social impairment warranting an increased rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to incomplete examinations and treatment records, as well as issues related to employment history.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant impairment but not total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further action, including a new VA examination for the right knee disorder and preparation of an SOC for other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development.