PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The appeal of a March 2022 rating decision implementing a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD from March 1, 2015 to September 23, 2015 is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic nausea was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a severe gastric ulcer.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability prior to July 22, 2021, and from July 22, 2021, were both denied due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified alcohol-related disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied as there was no total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, is granted as service-connected. The left shoulder strain is also granted as service-connected. However, the bilateral ankle disability and left thumb disability are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate development of his employment history and earnings information.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for his migraines associated with PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to verify the Veteran's in-service stressor involving his best friend who died in Vietnam.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and gastric disorder. The VA will provide a supplemental opinion for these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-V or DSM-IV criteria.

The VA determined that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to support a claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and IBS have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory insufficiency (dyspnea), and migraines. The sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia in both legs were also granted on a secondary basis to their respective service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for consideration of whether an effective date prior to February 28, 2013 is warranted due to the need to consider if a TDIU was granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically in verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD related to her involvement in a narcotics sting operation during military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment from November 27, 2018 to November 22, 2019 more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment. Therefore, the claim for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MST and depression. The evidence supports a finding that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and the Board also grants a TDIU. However, there was no rating assigned as the appeal pertained to the initial determination of service connection.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reestablished at 70 percent effective October 1, 2021. Additionally, the Veteran's TDIU was also reestablished effective October 1, 2021.

The Board has determined that the May 2021 decision on appeal did not consider all relevant evidence and remanded for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's OSA, specifically whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, including obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, leading to a rating of 70 percent disabled effective March 13, 2021. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating for the same period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including GAD, depression, social anxiety, and insomnia disorder, has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced severe stressors in-service related to his mother's terminal illness and brother's murder, which led to current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of evidence. The Board cannot proceed without these steps.