PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD to include alcohol use disorder in remission and anxiety is rated at 70 percent, effective January 16, 2018.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia with diffuse chronic musculoskeletal pain, insertional pain syndrome is rated at 40 percent, effective April 20, 2016.,The Veteran's IBS associated with PTSD is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral feet disability due to additional development being required. The Veteran contends her current psychiatric disorders are related to harassment during service, while her bilateral feet disabilities may be related to service-connected shin splints or boot issues.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet, PTSD, and hypertension. The claims for TBI, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral eye disability, and back disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, finding that it was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU since October 2, 2015. The hypertension claim is remanded for updated blood pressure readings.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating, and there was insufficient evidence of persistent delusions or hallucinations to warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating and effective date of October 6, 2017 for PTSD was granted. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a mental disorder conforming to DSM-5 when he filed his initial claim in August 2016 or on September 23, 2016, but was first diagnosed with PTSD on October 6, 2017.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, and the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange in Guam. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, more information is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at a 70 percent level from December 28, 2010, to December 10, 2013. The Board also granted the claim for TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension was granted. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, effective from June 29, 2012, and TDIU from that date until January 28, 2014. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorder, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to alleged exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD with Alzheimer's disease, other specified depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury prior to November 27, 2019 has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA medical treatment records from Chattanooga Vet Center.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, keratosis (claimed as skin condition), a skin disability, and a neck disability due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran is granted TDIU for PTSD from July 1, 2007 to September 29, 2011.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability solely based on PTSD. The case should be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).,TDIU granted from August 27, 2013 onwards.

The Board restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD and MDD from 50% to 50%, effective October 1, 2015.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and PTSD, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.,Additional medical records are needed to determine if the Veteran had seizures or PTSD during his military service.