PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for further development and examination, including service connection for PTSD, metastatic carcinoma of the lung, colon condition, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status, cause of death, and death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including VA and private treatment records from the Veteran's time in the 1980s, at the Vet Center in Los Angeles, California, and any counseling he received for panic attacks. The appellant is asked to provide necessary identification of sources.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of July 9, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran met eligibility criteria for PTSD on April 11, 1980 and his symptoms existed since then.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are found to be related to a verified in-service stressor, specifically sexual assault during military service. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran and his attorney withdrawing their appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from December 7, 2009 to March 9, 2012 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,Service connection for total disability due to individual unemployability prior to June 25, 2019 was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but he does not have a current disability. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% prior to July 28, 2015 and 30% thereafter. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a new medical opinion regarding the appellant's mental health at the time of misconduct.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that her current diagnoses are related to her reported in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, has been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence and a VA medical opinion regarding the in-service stressor allegations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 1, 2018 and for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent from January 1, 2018 due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements and VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to the combat stressors he experienced during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 1, 2014 to January 19, 2021. Beginning January 19, 2021, the rating for PTSD is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 24, 2010 is being remanded as the Board did not consider whether he was entitled to TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is granted, but the claim for TDIU and SMC is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD was withdrawn by his attorney.,A 70 percent rating for PTSD from March 30, 2014 to August 1, 2017 is granted. The Veteran meets the criteria for this rating due to severe symptoms of PTSD including suicidal ideation and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD have been granted service connection.,An increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination report.,Service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and respiratory condition are remanded as no VA examination was provided.,Bruxism secondary to TBI is also remanded.,Right shoulder disability and low back disability ratings are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's heart disability and PTSD, including rating determinations for residuals of coronary bypass surgery and PTSD, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection. The Court also directed that VA treatment records be obtained for these matters.