PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), alcohol dependency/abuse, left eye disability, and memory loss. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned to the RO for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, and the Board is remanding both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for deviated septum, obstructive sleep apnea, acid reflux, heart disability (enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy), restless leg syndrome of the right leg, restless leg syndrome of the left leg, and TDIU are REMANDED.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder due to military sexual trauma and hostile military or terrorist activity, but has remanded the case for further examination and consideration.

This decision denies earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and eligibility to Chapter 35 DEA benefits. The Veteran's claims were received after final decisions, so the earliest possible effective dates are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the PTSD appeal and requires additional evidence.

The Board has withdrawn the claim of service connection for PTSD due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Cannabis Use Disorder have rendered him unemployable, granting his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's left thumb disability is currently rated as noncompensable due to a gap of less than one inch between the thumb pad and fingers. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.,More development is needed regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether they are related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was vacated by the Court, necessitating a new examination. The appeal for service connection for PTSD remains pending.,A psychiatric examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. If PTSD is found, it must be determined whether it is related to an in-service stressor or personal assault.,The claim for TDIU may need further development as it could be affected by the results of the above examinations.

The Veteran is granted a 50% disability rating for PTSD from August 15, 2014 to December 23, 2019. The evidence shows that his symptoms during this period caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied because the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their claim prior to a decision.,Service connection was granted for IBS, low back disorder, and bilateral eye disorder. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD also resulted in TDIU effective September 22, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability level, effective April 5, 2004.

The Board has denied service connection for a kidney disability but has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's kidney disability is not related to his military service and there are conflicting diagnoses of psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, is remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment prior to December 3, 2008.