PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his service. The Board has granted the claim for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction due to incomplete communication with the appellant.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), kidney failure, liver inflammation/infection, and high blood pressure are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 24, 2013. The rating is granted but not higher.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination related to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning June 6, 2011, based on the combined effects of his service-connected coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his acquired psychiatric disorder did not originate as the result of his service or due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and psychophysiological insomnia, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks from May 14, 2015 to June 17, 2018. The Veteran was granted a 30% disability rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding service connection for ED and clarification on the onset of ED. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD contributed to his death from myocardial infarction, including consideration of a new article submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran's TBI is now rated at 40 percent effective from May 19, 2017. Prior to this date, the highest level of impairment was considered '1'.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating and SMC based on housebound criteria were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and ischemic heart disability are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg disability, left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), asthma, ulcers, and right ankle disability due to lack of current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating of PTSD prior to February 22, 2019 was denied. The appeal for a higher rating from February 22, 2019 and service connection for hypertension were dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with bipolar disorder and alcohol and stimulant use disorders in remission was granted with an evaluation of 100% effective November 14, 2013. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for higher special monthly compensation (SMC) is denied because the evidence does not show he has any other disabilities or symptoms that would warrant a higher level of SMC.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to November 24, 2015. A TDIU was also granted for the same period.