PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity disabilities, including right hip, left hip, right ankle, left ankle, and right foot disabilities, as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease, was at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from August 26, 2015 to April 21, 2020. The VA found that the Veteran's symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep issues met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol abuse/dependency is granted, and his TDIU claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, sleep disorder, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The case will be readjudicated following compliance with the Board's previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete medical records, particularly those from Dr. W.G. and related hospitalizations.

The Veteran's claim for higher levels of SMC is granted on an accrued benefits basis due to his service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service connection claims, including those related to shrapnel wounds, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus conditions, sleep apnea, neurobehavioral effects, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy. The cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective from November 12, 2020. The claim for earlier effective date prior to May 25, 2017, was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for anxiety disorder, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's epilepsy is related to Gulf War exposures.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period from November 9, 2006 to January 22, 2013 due to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted due to the confirmation of a verified stressor event during his military service, leading to the diagnosis and link between his current PTSD symptoms and his service.

The Board has granted TDIU since October 4, 2016. The case is remanded for consideration of the claim prior to that date under extraschedular criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to August 10, 2018 and 70% from that date. His Sleep Apnea is currently rated at 50%. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to September 24, 2019 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent due to reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for PTSD are being remanded due to the need to review additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder, have been reopened. The claim of service connection for a low back disorder has also been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.