PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling since January 7, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death. The DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to July 10, 2017. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to that date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service. The preponderance of evidence does not establish a link between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and respiratory disorder were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, secondary to her service-connected Bell's palsy.,However, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Bell's Palsy remains denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service TBI and related symptoms. The cases are also remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. H., associating outside treatment records with the claims file, and scheduling a VA examination for sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU based on PTSD, as well as SMC at the housebound rate due to PTSD with other disabilities rated at 60% or more. The Veteran's employment history needs to be verified, and VA should consider whether PTSD alone prevents the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and readjudicating the service connection, rating, and TDIU issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether his anxiety disorder and PTSD caused him to become obese. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion that assesses whether any pre-existing mental condition was aggravated by service or if a current diagnosis is related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shoulder and knee conditions, do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to November 12, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining in-service mental health records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims file will be referred to a suitably qualified examiner for an opinion on the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,For the period prior to August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,From August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been productive of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, ankylosis, incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulation, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD has been withdrawn by his representative. As a result, the Board dismisses this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions, particularly PTSD and claustrophobia. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are alleged to have begun during his military service in Desert Storm.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer with urinary incontinence have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to October 5, 2000 is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from the Milwaukee VAMC.