PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected CAD prior to July 5, 2019, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's vertigo, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and/or acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his in-service experiences at Elmendorf Air Force Base (AFB) in Alaska where he provided maintenance on C-141 planes with wounded soldiers from Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and IBS preclude him from securing and following substantial gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU effective July 15, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records prior to 1986 are requested, and a new psychiatric examination is needed to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to March 25, 2019 for TDIU was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that her service-connected disabilities prevented her from obtaining and maintaining employment prior to March 25, 2019.,The Veteran's appeal for past-due benefits by the grants of basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and TDIU effective March 25, 2019 was remanded. The Board noted that there was a discrepancy in the amount of past-due benefits awarded and ordered a complete audit/accounting.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and cocaine use disorder is granted an initial 100 percent rating. The claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction, secondary to the aforementioned conditions, is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest with cerebrovascular accident, is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.

The appeals for service connection of a left eye disorder, respiratory disorder (chest nodules), and left leg disorder have been dismissed. The appeals for stomach disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. An initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with panic attacks is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification of his intention regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and erectile dysfunction have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 6, 2008. Effective from June 6, 2008 to June 24, 2010, the Veteran is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an in-person or telemedicine examination, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's OSA is being examined again to determine if it is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 50% disability rating since July 13, 2016. The Board has now granted an initial 70% disability rating for PTSD and alcohol abuse disorder, effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 24, 2013 for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on the appellant continuously prosecuting the SMC claim since the original January 2014 benefits denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the prerequisite disability ratings for a schedular total disability rating prior to April 28, 2017. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and sleep apnea have been reopened, and service connection has been granted for both conditions based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent evaluation for their acquired psychiatric disability, effective November 1, 2017.