PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of PTSD and earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for cardiovascular disability, including on a secondary basis to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent and effective from November 4, 2015. Aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse is also granted with an effective date of November 4, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for increased ratings for right knee PFS with calcific tendinitis, left knee collateral ligament laxity, and lumbar IVDS were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish participation in combat or corroboration of noncombat stressors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for increased rating of residuals of traumatic right knee injury with degenerative joint disease is being remanded.,The Veteran's left knee disability secondary to his service-connected right knee injury remains in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD disability was at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) initially manifested during service and is otherwise related to his service, including documented low back pain and a reported Humvee accident. The effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from July 21, 2016. The claims for neck disability, right knee disability, and low back pain are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to address whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records that may be relevant to his disability benefits.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition, as well as the claims for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity. The Veteran's death was caused by his neurological condition, which is presumed to have been related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Board has also granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was granted, with a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors. The rating for the acquired psychiatric disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is remanded. The appeal regarding the increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted as his educational and occupational experience have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current psychiatric conditions and an in-service stressor. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is requested to undergo further medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an earlier effective date for his PTSD rating, and TDIU prior to May 26, 2020. The issues include whether sleep apnea is secondary to a service-connected disability, whether there was obesity due to PTSD, and whether PTSD caused or aggravated the Veteran's weight gain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion on whether the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his military service.