PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD. The issue of a TDIU from July 25, 2017 was granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder are remanded due to lack of updated evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for MDD with anxious distress (also claimed as anxiety condition and PTSD) was granted at 40 percent prior to January 8, 2020. A higher rating of more than 40 percent is denied from that date forward.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence showing a current diagnosis. The issue of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for OSA due to COPD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider changes in rating criteria over time.

The Veteran's claims for a higher PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood. The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective December 20, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD and OSA are currently rated at 50 percent each, which represents occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's sleep apnea does not result in chronic respiratory failure or require a tracheostomy.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from July 12, 2019 to November 5, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD as there is no credible evidence to support that a stressor occurred during service, and therefore, the criteria for service connection are not met.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective August 26, 2011.,Earlier effective dates for these benefits are not warranted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic mental disability, including anxiety and PTSD. The Veteran was exposed to traumatic events during his service aboard the USS Constellation in 1963, which led to a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied in multiple AOJ decisions. The appellant, who is an accredited attorney representing the Veteran, filed a valid fee agreement but did not file it within 30 days of its execution as required by VA regulations. As a result, the Board denied the request for direct payment of attorney fees.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied his claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for an increased rating for PTSD and a retroactive effective date for TDIU. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed, including treatment records from psychiatrist J.M. and SSA medical records. A new examination of the Veteran's PTSD will also be conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 21, 2018, for the grant of TDIU and eligibility to DEA were also denied.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, due to credible in-service stressors.