PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to May 9, 2020 and a rating in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a right hip disability due to outstanding VA treatment records, need for new VA examinations, and consideration of relevant medical evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee meniscus tear status post arthroscopy and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and anxiety disorder) are remanded due to outstanding records.

The Veteran's chronic kidney disease and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran's chronic kidney disease is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, while his PTSD has been rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

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

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU rating due to his service-connected heart disability, but the current evidence does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board has determined that referral for extra-schedular consideration is warranted and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and insomnia disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the relationship between his insomnia disorder and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches due to new evidence added to the record since the last decision in May 2017. The Veteran is requested to provide additional VA treatment records, and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral ankle arthritis, low back strain, right bicep injury, and right foot scar, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to October 18, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for pulmonary disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's PTSD was aggravated by active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder began during active service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is related to exposure to herbicide during service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's GERD began during active service and is related to exposure to herbicide during service; the hiatal hernia was most likely aggravated by military service and is considered service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is related to an in-service injury and is considered service-connected.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to in-service stressors, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to September 10, 2019, was denied. A 70% disability rating for PTSD from that date onwards is granted.,The Veteran's skin condition remains pending as the issue has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 1, 2007. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective July 1, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is reinstated, and he is granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches. The issues of service connection for GERD, cervical spine disability, and an eating disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the severity of PTSD and its impact on alcohol abuse.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, individual unemployability rating, and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.