PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to decide the claims for service connection for various conditions, and therefore, remands are issued for additional development.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was a bar to VA compensation benefits due to willful and persistent misconduct, and did not find evidence of insanity at the time of his service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C and kidney problems (diagnosed as chronic kidney disease) has been withdrawn. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder in early remission is granted an increased rating of 70 percent, but not higher.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder was rated at 70 percent effective February 18, 2011. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's post-nasal septoplasty condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Prior to November 10, 2016, the Veteran was not found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that remand is necessary to consider whether an earlier effective date or a higher rating is warranted.

An effective date of September 10, 1979, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for PTSD to include major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder is granted.,The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD, MDD, and insomnia disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review the merits of these claims.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.,The appeals concerning initial increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no credible supporting evidence that any in-service stressor occurred.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, and a respiratory disorder due to asbestos exposure. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed. The appeals for sleep apnea, vasectomy, and erectile dysfunction were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and missing service personnel records. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are being reviewed again.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service. Service connection for a neck disability and headaches is also remanded. Service connection for vertigo remains in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective advisory opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus prior to December 18, 2009. The matter will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of cranial nerve, claimed as peripheral neuropathy of the face, is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with TBI prior to November 20, 2019, and from that date onwards, are both denied in terms of initial ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of combat stressor events during her Afghanistan deployment.,The Veteran's dyspnea is granted due to asthma, diagnosed in VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's PTSD, with MDD, OCD, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder is rated at 70 percent since the appeal period. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a TDIU.