PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a current diagnosis and the link between his in-service stressors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of PTSD, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 8, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration, making it difficult to conduct an examination. The VA is instructed to provide copies of DBQs to prison officials and request a psychiatric evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent evaluation effective February 14, 2014. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective May 30, 2013. He also received a TDIU effective May 30, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder) have been rated based on their service-connected nature. The Board has found that the current ratings are not adequate to reflect the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran is being remanded for further examination to determine if his PTSD symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination in February 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's PTSD and TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for denying ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to September 5, 2017, and in excess of 50 percent from that date. The Veteran is entitled to an additional examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to incomplete development of records and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and compensation due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA and PTSD are granted, with a rating of 70 percent for the former prior to August 1, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and a personality disorder, has been denied. The Board found the Veteran's accounts of personal assault in service to be not credible.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from September 9, 2003 to March 18, 2008 and from June 18, 2012 to March 27, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 30 percent, but a rating of 70 percent is granted effective from February 5, 2016. The maximum rating has not been assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded for additional development to obtain all outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD and PTSD. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The appeal for PTSD is dismissed as the Veteran's claim has been granted.,The appeal for multiple myeloma is denied.,The appeals for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease and CAD are remanded due to lack of a medical opinion on etiology.,The appeal for hypertension is remanded due to lack of updated VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD symptoms, including engaging in high-risk behaviors such as operating a motorcycle at an unsafe speed. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants service connection for cause of death.