PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a more contemporaneous medical examination of his gunshot wound of the left calf with posterior tibial nerve impairment and an assessment of the severity of his PTSD during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD causes total occupational impairment and near-total social impairment, warranting an initial 100 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU due to PTSD as there is insufficient evidence of record, including updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and housebound status due to a lack of current evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance, as well as an incomplete review of his TDIU claim. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a physical examination to determine if he requires aid and attendance, request any outstanding medical records, and consider whether he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was withdrawn. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the appeal, and granted TDIU based on the combined effect of multiple disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II, was denied. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol dependence, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and insomnia prior to September 20, 2013, and a rating of 70 percent from September 20, 2013 to June 21, 2017, were granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 22, 2017 was also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU rating, effective from September 27, 2011 to June 28, 2014, and thereafter. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with sleep disorder due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, effective April 30, 2013. The attorney's fees are also granted based on past due benefits awarded in the May 2014 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service and were more likely caused by a stroke in 2001.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 70 percent rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and for TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

An increased evaluation of 70 percent for schizophrenia, paranoid type is granted effective August 23, 2006. The issue of entitlement to a total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) related to service-connected schizophrenia prior to March 22, 2012, is also addressed and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma/stressor-related disorder (previously PTSD) is rated at 50 percent from March 1, 2011 to January 24, 2017. The issues of service connection for TBI and sleep apnea are remanded as well as the claims for major depressive disorder secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma/stressor-related disorder (previously PTSD), and ratings in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral muscular strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and posttraumatic synovitis of the left ankle.,The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent from March 1, 2011 to January 24, 2017. The issues of service connection for TBI and sleep apnea are remanded as well as the claims for major depressive disorder secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma/stressor-related disorder (previously PTSD), and ratings in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral muscular strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and posttraumatic synovitis of the left ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further medical opinion regarding the relationship between his sleep disorder and service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not to the extent warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a back disorder is denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD from June 3, 2014 to August 12, 2014 due to persistent danger of self-harm. He was also granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD from August 13, 2014 to July 12, 2017 and a 70 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depressive disorder are granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depressive disorder is remanded.