PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been characterized by symptoms resulting in total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought process or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living; disorientation to time or place; and memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation or own name. As a result, the Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

For the entire period on appeal, a rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 28, 2017 for entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) at the rate intermediate between subsections (l) and (m). This decision also grants an effective date of December 2, 2010 for SMC based on need for regular A&A.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include PTSD, Meniere's Syndrome, prostate cancer, and adenocarcinoma of the lungs. The Board found that his need for regular A&A was established from December 2, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD associated with the reported in-service stressor, and resolves reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,A disability rating of 20 percent is assigned for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective prior to April 17, 2019.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted, while claims for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded.

The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but service connection is denied.,Service connection for a dental condition as secondary to tonsillar head and neck cancer (claimed as respiratory cancer) has not been established.

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, management-level stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for additional VR&E benefits or re-entry into the program.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 28, 2010 for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with secondary depression is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has remanded for further development.,Service connection for right shoulder arthritis was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the relationship between his psychiatric disabilities and service. The Veteran will need to provide more details about his experiences as a counterintelligence agent, and he may be scheduled for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran is being asked to undergo further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been granted, restoring the original 50 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD with alcohol use disorder and his TDIU rating are both being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left ankle, left knee, right knee disabilities as well as a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and kidney disease.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, and his TDIU claim has been granted. The Board found that the overlapping symptoms of PTSD and alcohol abuse disorders prevented him from finding and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10 percent rating for urethritis, but the Board finds that he does not have any current symptoms of voiding dysfunction related to his service-connected urethritis. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction has been diagnosed and may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran was previously gainfully employed prior to February 1, 2019, and is therefore not entitled to a TDIU for that period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was incurred during his active service and is related to his conceded combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for depression and anxiety, but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are based on stressors that VA could not verify.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for ischemic heart disease, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a back disability. The appeal for service connection for basal cell carcinoma is remanded.