PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee strain, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, due to service-connected lumbar strain, cervical strain, and posttraumatic tension-type headache and cervicogenic pain. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings in any of these cases.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent rating. However, he is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. A 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is granted effective from August 24, 2007.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the March 2014 VA psychiatric examination and associated March 2015 addendum opinion may be inadequate due to conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran's care from Dr. Lenz is being investigated for potential association with VA’s Veterans Choice Program (VCP).

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD disability rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with levoscoliosis and strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for PTSD with secondary uncontrolled angina and GERD is granted. Service connection for COPD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective from September 2, 2014, to December 1, 2014. The rating was granted due to total occupational and social impairment caused by the symptoms of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent evaluation from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination addendum opinion regarding his sleep disability, which may be related to service-connected hypertension and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and traumatic brain injury was granted. The effective date of the grant is June 4, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in March 2007 due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a total (100%) disability rating since August 23, 2017. The Board also granted service connection for left shoulder and eye injuries as secondary to in-service head injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, personality disorder, anxiety, and depression, is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for higher disability ratings in multiple conditions, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's heart disability, including congestive heart failure, left bundle branch block, non ischemic cardiomyopathy, and mitral regurgitation, is denied as not related to service or any service-connected condition.,For the period prior to October 24, 2013, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. For the period from October 24, 2013 onwards, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.