PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations for PTSD, atopic dermatitis, and bladder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol and substance abuse in long-term remission symptoms most closely approximated total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, surgical scars, and right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for PTSD due to the Veteran's assertion of worsening symptoms since his last examination in 2015. Additionally, the issue of service connection for sleep apnea is now in appellate status as it was not previously addressed by the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, hypertension, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD. The claim for alcoholism due to an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD is being remanded.

The Board denied a claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and conducting VA examinations to assess the Veteran's disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease remain on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and nightmares, have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The VA has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to March 7, 2012.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent since August 25, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of a claimed in-service stressor and clarification of the nature and etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating prior to May 10, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, thus the initial rating of 70% remains.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including depression and PTSD, are not related to his military service. The erectile dysfunction is also not linked to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development and examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Features, are related to service. The Veteran asserts that these conditions are due to in-service stressors and behavior issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his Persistent Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment. The VA examiner determined that the symptoms are primarily attributable to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating prior to November 3, 2011. For the period beginning November 3, 2011, his PTSD symptoms were found to be at least as severe as those warranting a 70 percent evaluation.