PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective August 6, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran submitted a complete application on October 23, 2019, which relates back to his intent to file submission of August 6, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with obsessive compulsive disorder and adjustment disorder was dismissed because the June 2020 rating decision implemented the May 2020 Board decision granting service connection, which is not an issue that can be appealed.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened and denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 2, 2019 for the grants of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are being remanded due to an error in satisfying regulatory or statutory duty.

The Board has denied service connection for bipolar disorder as the symptoms cannot be distinguished from those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based solely on PTSD is denied as the effective date of June 15, 2021 is determined to be the earliest date that it was factually ascertainable that the service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran was not precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to February 10, 2020.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and to obtain relevant records, including SSA records. The claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from VA and private providers. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered with these new records.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is restored to 70% effective September 1, 2019.,The Veteran is granted TDIU from September 21, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically for retrieving outstanding records that are relevant to the claim of an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with persistent depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the March 2019 VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused or aggravated by his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As such, the claim for secondary service connection for OSA due to PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for discontinuance of SMC based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected disabilities and TDIU.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was granted service connection. Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current diagnosis of adjustment disorder and possible PTSD to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, a liver transplant, and a left ankle condition. The cases are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors, his liver transplant cause, and the relationship between his left ankle condition and any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by a service-connected condition, specifically PTSD and Major Depression, which were related to his combat experiences in Vietnam. As such, the cause of death is considered service-connected.