PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted the request to revise the September 2007 rating decision assigning an effective date of October 9, 2001 for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence received from the Veteran's unit.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 23, 2019. The Board found that the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity or total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and a TDIU have been granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 6, 2018, was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained full-time employment with accommodations since February 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted an effective date of October 27, 2009 for the grant of service connection for TBI with headaches and PTSD. The Veteran's earlier application included a claim for left orbital fracture disability, which reasonably encompassed his current claims. Effective from March 23, 2018, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to loss of use of bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his active duty combat service. The claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD requires the regular aid and attendance of another individual due to factors such as an inability to keep himself clean, mental incapacity requiring care or assistance on a regular basis, medication management, and daily functioning. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran requires this aid.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions obtained on remand are inadequate and requires further development for both sleep apnea and PTSD claims.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to December 11, 2019. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD at any time during the appeal period. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for tension headaches and service connection for OSA are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for hallux valgus, TBI, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal joint pain of wrist, shoulders, and neck, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has ordered the RO to verify the Veteran's service status throughout her Reserve service, including periods of active duty and inactive duty for training. The claim will be remanded until this verification is completed.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as his symptoms are consistent with a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to outstanding treatment records not being associated with the claims file. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was assessed by a VA examiner, and additional private treatment records were submitted.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus and PTSD have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of PTSD with depression related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service.