PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right upper extremity weakness render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU effective June 4, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for further development and consideration of evidence related to in-service personal assault and its potential impact on his PTSD and TBI diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an in-person psychiatric examination. The issue of whether the appellant's discharge constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits is also on hold.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for sarcoidosis, a lung disability separate from sarcoidosis, heart disorders, and kidney disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained in March 2020 are inadequate and requires additional medical opinions to address all of the Veteran's diagnosed disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and a right shoulder condition. The matter is therefore being remanded for these missing records and for medical opinions based on a complete factual history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of the delimiting date for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, finding that his service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from initiating or completing his chosen program of education prior to November 24, 2017.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, excluding PTSD, as there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability diagnosed in accordance with the DSM-5 during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 26, 2010 to August 9, 2010. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for updated VA records from the Brick VA clinic and a Vet Center appointment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The decision also granted a 10% rating for a facial scar.,The Veteran’s claim for an eye disability remains pending as there are missing records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to July 24, 2020. A 100 percent rating has been granted for the period from July 24, 2020, to September 29, 2020.,A special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status is also granted for the same periods.

The Veteran's PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder have been granted service connection, with a 70% rating for the psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and TBI are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of worsening symptoms since his last examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including somatic symptoms disorder with predominant pain disorder symptoms, insomnia disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (PTSD), has been rated at 70 percent since December 2014. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left foot tendonitis was denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus and metatarsalgia is granted, with the latter being resolved in favor of the Veteran due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis under the DSM-IV. The VA examiner will need to review the Veteran's medical records and consider his reported stressors.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as secondary to undiagnosed illness. The VA examiner’s opinion was found inadequate and not in substantial compliance with prior remand directives.