PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and SSA records, as well as a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Board found that the overpayment of $31,551.08 was properly created due to VA's failure to withhold attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded for TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 24, 2004. The appellant is entitled to past-due benefits from May 14, 2014, through March 22, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone does not render him unemployable, as he was previously employed until a motor vehicle accident in December 2010. The record shows other physical impairments and limited education contributing to his inability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia have been rated at 50 percent prior to May 9, 2016 and 70 percent after that date. The appeal is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and granted service connection based on evidence indicating that she experienced military sexual trauma during her service, which led to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 31, 2010 is being remanded as the threshold schedular criteria are not met. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD, left thigh scar, varicose veins, right hand disability, and ankle disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not more nearly reflect total occupational and social impairment due to psychiatric symptoms.,Service connection for bilateral ankle arthritis was also denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to in-service trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to November 23, 2016 and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 50 percent rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms that decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD was not shown to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, resulting in a finding that the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70% have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 10, 2014. For the period from April 10, 2014, his PTSD resulted in deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right tibia and fibula fracture residuals with arthritis of the right ankle, and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unemployable for work consistent with his education and experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, thus the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound were not met.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective November 2, 2016. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and bilateral foot disorder were denied.