PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for throat condition, acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD), and heart condition due to incomplete information regarding his National Guard service and potential SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD with MDD is being remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination in connection with his July 2019 claim.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 6, 2020 resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. As of March 6, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused deficiencies in most areas but not total social impairment. The Board finds that a higher 50 percent rating is granted for PTSD prior to March 6, 2020, and a higher 70 percent rating is granted as of March 6, 2020.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a maximum of 50 percent from January 17, 2017 and his TDIU is granted effective the same date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to April 24, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and multiple types of peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of December 20, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of his physical and psychiatric conditions has made it impossible for him to engage in any form of substantial gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to acquired psychiatric disorders, bilateral eye disabilities, and esophageal disabilities need further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address all relevant issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are severe enough to warrant a 70% evaluation, but not higher. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss is granted based on new evidence. Shin splints service connection petition is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to in-service stressors, including the murder of his fiancée during service and racial discrimination by a superior.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for memory loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran's memory loss is being examined again for causation and aggravation, his PTSD and psychiatric disorders are being evaluated for in-service onset or etiology, and his tinnitus is being assessed for a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus or a diagnosis thereof.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), erectile dysfunction, left knee condition, right hip condition, and hypertension have all been remanded due to incomplete development in the schizoaffective disorder claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and MDD, is found to be etiologically related to military sexual trauma that occurred during service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as he does not have any service-connected disabilities. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, heart palpitations, alcohol abuse (claimed as necrotizing pancreatitis), and an acquired psychiatric disability to obtain additional records.

The Veteran's PTSD, back, knee, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for additional development to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining clarifying etiological opinions and SSA records.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for PTSD and dysthymic disorder (claimed as sleep disturbances). The Board has remanded the remaining issues including increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy, intervertebral disc syndrome, and a TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his suicide was due to a mental health disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The appeal is granted.