PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist and inadequate opinions. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, low back disability, knee disabilities, and somatic symptom disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent prior to May 28, 2021, based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of VA to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was unable to attend an examination at a local VAMC because prison authorities were unable to provide transportation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to reassess the severity of his PTSD and TBI, as well as any sleep impairment or memory loss due to PTSD. The current combined rating of 30 percent for PTSD with TBI remains in place.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed psychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions. The VA will obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations, and provide a thorough review of the Veteran's history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors. The claim for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a thoracolumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection are being reviewed on their merits.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and cognitive disorder are granted as combat-related. The TBI is also granted but a separate evaluation for the TBI is requested.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence from his most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been denied as there is no evidence showing the condition started during his service or is related to his service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and penile condition due to herbicide exposure have been remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD remains pending, with a need for new and material evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD also has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for depression, bipolar disorder, hepatitis C, PTSD, and anxiety were denied as the evidence did not establish a link to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hemorrhoids, PTSD, lumbar strain, and allergic rhinitis due to inadequate examinations and need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there was no pending, unadjudicated claim to reopen prior to January 31, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating since September 13, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, and Substance Use Disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors and his current psychiatric symptoms.

The Board is remanding the case due to incomplete information regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD was incurred during combat-related operations. The RO needs to clarify this issue before making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in previous decisions regarding herbicide agent exposure and service-connected PTSD. Further investigation is needed into these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and OSA, as due to PTSD, is granted. However, the claims for right knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

Your appeals for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and sinusitis have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.