PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with depressive features. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher, prior to January 27, 2021. The Veteran's TBI is denied as not warranting a compensable rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as he has a history of working for over 30 years in various capacities.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a left hip disorder has been granted. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as secondary to the left hip disorder.

The Veteran's endometriosis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective March 12, 2012. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his sleep apnea and his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's PTSD did not cause or aggravate his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and remands are required for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and providing a thorough examination to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 100% rating as of December 18, 2017. Headaches are also granted and linked to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal of his claims for service connection for high blood pressure and PTSD. As a result, the Board cannot consider these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions alone did not render him in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, major depression disease, bipolar disorder, and PTSD have been granted.,Other service connection claims for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent disability rating. A TDIU for PTSD since February 18, 2020 is granted.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease and bilateral hand disability are remanded due to lack of adequate medical evidence in the record.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a TDIU is denied as there was no formal or informal communication prior to May 7, 2020 expressing an intent to file a claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent effective September 13, 2020. The appeal for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is also denied as the Veteran does not have a permanent total disability rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress did not render him unemployable through March 3, 2019. However, from December 9, 2015 to March 11, 2018, his combined service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or due to housebound status, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not result in such needs.