PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from following or maintaining substantial gainful employment, and he is granted a TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran has been found to have a total and permanent disability by reason of his service-connected disabilities for purposes of the grant of DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD claim is denied, but his acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including anxiety and depressive disorders) is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a VA medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 29, 2019, for PTSD with panic attacks and TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his PTSD, have been granted service connection. The Veteran was also awarded a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD prior to August 30, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing the condition was related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD prior to March 17, 2021 or thereafter, and denied service connection for both cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need to address a claim of clear and unmistakable error regarding an earlier effective date for his service-connected schizophrenia with alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board remanded the case due to inadequate analysis.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding service connection for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional evidence or clarification of the current rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to issues with obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for tinnitus is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The Board also granted total disability due to individual unemployability, effective from August 23, 2016.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and denied the claim for total unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and an earlier effective date, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The VA must obtain retrospective medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD from May 1983 to May 2004, including distinguishing between symptoms associated with service-connected PTSD and other diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities produced total occupational impairment starting from January 1, 2013. The effective date for the TDIU is set at January 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected right knee disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a new VA psychiatric examination, and determining the proper rating for his right knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further clarification. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric condition, basal cell carcinoma skin cancer, and residuals of squamous cell carcinoma.