PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his in-service stressors and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to December 20, 2018 and his TDIU claim have been dismissed as he withdrew both issues through an Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active-duty service in Vietnam. His bilateral hearing loss began during or within one year of separation from service. Tinnitus also began during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed PTSD is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence to support his reported in-service stressors, and thus he cannot meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma or stressor related disorder, is granted as service connected. The initial rating for left wrist sprain and right wrist sprain remains denied. TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a 100% disability rating for his service-connected COPD and SMC based on housebound status, which covers the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for new evidence. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is also being remanded as it may be related to PTSD. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the period on appeal, leading to a 100% disability rating for PTSD. Beginning June 2, 2017, he also received SMC at the housebound rate due to other service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 27, 2017. The Board has granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and low back disability, as well as the reopening of previously denied claims for type II diabetes mellitus (DM2), Lyme disease, and hypertension, are being remanded due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, as his right ear has a maximum rating of Level VI and left ear has a maximum rating of Level I.,Service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder was granted based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board's decision was found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous in denying DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim is now granted due to the secondary nature of the Veteran's Opioid Use Disorder, which was a result of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression), and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and potential duty-to-assist issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's lipomas are granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent, effective June 20, 2012. Service connection for PTSD and anxiety/depression is also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to a change in her employment status and the need for a new VA psychological examination.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and remanded for earlier effective dates for certain grants.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, was rated at 70 percent prior to November 12, 2018. The claim for an increased rating is denied. TDIU from May 29, 2012 to November 12, 2018, has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has ordered a new medical opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, and whether they are related to his service-connected DVT.