PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Persistent Depressive Disorder due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors. The Veteran must be afforded a VA examination, and his submitted news articles may help corroborate his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a clear indication of whether he currently meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. The issues of service connection for acute respiratory disorder, esophageal cancer, diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, HIV, and narcolepsy are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment prior to August 27, 2011.,For the period from April 4, 2011 to August 27, 2011, the evidence is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD and depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been denied, and his case is remanded due to the need for additional development related to both his PTSD and G-6PD claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions should be remanded to allow for consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's DIC claim is denied as he did not meet the criteria for receiving benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, specifically due to his service-connected disability not being rated at a 100% level for at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The cause of death issue has been remanded.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective June 20, 2011. The Veteran's disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for special home adaptation grant is denied as moot. The Board granted the Veteran SMC at the intermediate rate between (l) and (m), based on his service-connected PTSD and left leg amputation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right leg disability and PTSD due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's PTSD was restored to a 50% rating effective July 1, 2018. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10% for tinnitus is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 22, 2016, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no prior formal or informal claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating and earlier effective dates for his right elbow disability, PTSD, TDIU, and DEA benefits are being remanded due to incomplete development of the claims.,Specifically, the AOJ needs to obtain the Veteran's service personnel file, verify the claimed in-service stressors related to PTSD, and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but the case is remanded as there are outstanding issues regarding the Appellant's marital status and documentation.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the case to be remanded for further development. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, entitlement to a temporary total disability rating for hospitalization due to PTSD, service connection for hepatitis C, and service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are all being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an abnormal gait, PTSD and anxiety, a lower neck disability, and headaches have been granted. However, the claim for a lower neck disability is remanded to obtain medical records from NATO HQ at Film City.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board has found that it does not warrant a higher rating.,The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded as it may be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus or secondary to hypothyroidism, which was raised by the NDAA in 2021.,The claim for service connection for hypothyroidism is referred to the AOJ for adjudication. The Board notes that erectile dysfunction may also be related to this condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, but further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his PTSD. Other claims are also remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period prior to July 16, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to maintain gainful employment.