PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and his derivative TDIU claim due to a disagreement with the denial of higher ratings. The appeal now concerns whether the Veteran was entitled to a rating higher than 50 percent prior to February 13, 2021, and whether he has been entitled to a rating higher than 70 percent since.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% rating, effective March 22, 2011. The initial ratings for diabetes mellitus (20%), peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (20%), and left lower extremity (20%) are granted. Erectile dysfunction remains denied. Service connection is remanded for joint pain, bilateral cataracts, sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes and/or rhinitis. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 70% disability evaluation from April 8, 2005, and TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of gonorrhea, urethral stricture. The petition to reopen claims for service connection for right pinky finger condition and right shoulder condition (to include arthritis) are denied. Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for the right shoulder condition, to include arthritis, is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder in accordance with DSM criteria.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is rated at 50% prior to November 29, 2018. For the period from November 29, 2018 onwards, his symptoms warrant a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and because these issues are inextricably intertwined with his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 31, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of cold injury to the feet, and other psychiatric disorders were denied as there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or diagnosis of residuals of cold injury to the feet. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout was denied as there is no evidence showing that his gout initially manifested during service, nor did it have a nexus with service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to December 2, 2014 and denied for an evaluation in excess of this rating.,After December 2, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent and denied for an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI. He also receives a TDIU rating and SMC at the housebound rate effective March 18, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-V criteria and noting conflicting diagnoses from different providers. Service connection was also denied for bipolar disorder as it was found to be aggravated by sarcoidosis, which is not currently service-connected.

The Veteran's request to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for malaria is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at November 3, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD prior to May 27, 2015 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating from May 27, 2015 was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating. For TDIU, the Veteran was granted based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with dysthymic disorder, effective January 24, 2012.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's current noncompensable rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, fibromyalgia, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the cervical spine require regular aid and attendance due to his cognitive limitations and physical disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance from October 17, 2012 to January 30, 2020.