PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding SSA records that may contain relevant information about the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since the effective date of service connection, which grants an initial rating for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent since his initial claim, but the Board has now granted a higher 50 percent rating due to worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed. The previously denied claim of hypertension was reopened and granted a 50% evaluation. The initial evaluation for depressive disorder was granted at 50%. Other claims were remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for tinnitus and PTSD. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of pneumothorax has been granted. The initial rating for PTSD before October 29, 2020 remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety, are related to service.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection due to a personal assault during his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied the claim as there is no competent evidence linking the current conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD from August 26, 2012 to September 5, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for depression and TDIU prior to September 14, 2011 are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the entire period on appeal, as his service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors for PTSD. The RO is instructed to verify these stressors and take appropriate steps if any lack sufficient information.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity frostbite residuals, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disabilities, and gastrointestinal disorders. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Alcohol Use Disorder was denied by the Board. The current disability rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of sleep apnea, which is secondary to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's attorney provided evidence suggesting a correlation between PTSD and sleep apnea, but the VA examiner found insufficient evidence to establish causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been reopened and granted.,Tinnitus was found to be related to service, with a current disability established within one year of separation from active duty.,Right hip strain and right knee degenerative joint disease were determined to be caused by pre-existing conditions (left knee chondromalacia patella and torn meniscus, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right ankle degenerative joint disease with tendonitis).,Hemorrhoids and jaw disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.,Sinus disorder claim is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeals.