PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, and additional records are requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, is related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 2, 2018 is granted. The Board finds additional development needed for the PTSD and back disability claims due to potential impact on the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to December 7, 2020 and 70% thereafter. The case is remanded for further development regarding the rating of PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to September 16, 2019; and 70 percent thereafter (excluding those periods during which a total rating was assigned). The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, Meniere's disease, and ear infections due to Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's mood disorder with alcohol abuse in remission and PTSD were granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent prior to October 18, 2010. The appeal for evaluations higher than 50 percent was denied from October 18, 2010 through March 19, 2019, and again since March 19, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms from October 23, 2010, through February 23, 2019, more closely approximated a 50 percent disability rating for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of other associated symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that the symptoms do not more nearly approximate those required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol, opioid, sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder due to military sexual trauma has not resulted in total social and occupational impairment prior to March 31, 2017. The claim for a higher initial disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, and her seizure disorder is granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Sinusitis, and Asthma, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2005. An earlier effective date of August 9, 2005, for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and back disability, were denied. The Board found the Veteran not credible due to his history of disciplinary actions, substance abuse, and violent behavior.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional VA examinations. The issues of PTSD, right knee strain with arthritis, right knee instability, and right ear hearing loss are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and evidence of employment status, as well as new examinations to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disability have been granted a 100 percent rating, and he is receiving SMC based on housebound status for the entire appeal period. The TDIU claim has been mooted as his PTSD alone meets the criteria.