PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims, including his assertions of exposure to herbicides during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for dermatophytosis pedis, head trauma with headaches, upper back injury, lower back injury, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD to include persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to January 16, 2020.,The Veteran's PTSD to include persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is denied for a rating in excess of 70 percent from January 16, 2020.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 24, 2014 for the award of service connection for PTSD. This decision is based on new and material evidence received by VA within one year of the October 2010 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand this case due to uncertainty regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD and other psychiatric disorders are related to his active service. The VA needs to provide a clearer opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and a need for further clarification of psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder and PTSD are remanded due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The Veteran claims these conditions are related to his service or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if there was Federal active duty service during certain periods and to reconsider the Veteran's claim for PTSD based on all evidence of record, including relaxed evidentiary standards.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors could not be verified.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, currently diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of CFS, and his symptoms are attributable to other conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and depression.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete delivery of documents and a hearing request. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations for his acquired psychiatric conditions, PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia is rated at 70 percent from October 27, 2014. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent from August 1, 2011 to March 3, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent from March 4, 2013 to October 26, 2014 is denied. The appeal for a TDIU prior to March 4, 2013 and from November 10, 2014 is also denied.

The appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims. The low back disability, OSA, acquired psychiatric disorder (excluding PTSD), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella claims have all been reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to July 30, 2012. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that his PTSD alone prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and a sleep disorder. The Board found that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right hand disability do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, nor are his nonservice-connected disabilities sufficient for a permanent and total rating prior to September 26, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal of an earlier effective date for PTSD is dismissed.,An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for IHD is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for valvular heart disease, including as secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient examination addressing these conditions.,The Veteran's skin condition remains under appeal.