PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) has been granted, effective November 16, 2016. The decision also grants an earlier effective date for these benefits.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of a 70 percent disability evaluation for PTSD, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility. The effective dates are all set to September 20, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a dispute over the amount of attorney fees awarded for securing an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Board does not have jurisdiction to determine the reasonableness of the fee agreement, and it must be referred to the Office of General Counsel.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as he did not file a prior claim.,Service connection for ED, hypertension, heart disability (tachycardia), and vertigo were all denied as the conditions are not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is not related to an in-service stressor. The Board granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, finding a basis for establishing service connection based on evidence showing depression during service and continuing since.,The decision also noted conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD, with some examiners linking it to MST while others did not.

The Veteran's death was caused by hepatocellular carcinoma, which the VA has determined to be a result of hepatitis C. The VA found that the Veteran's in-service and post-service alcohol abuse and intravenous drug use were secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and a personality disorder, is related to service. However, further examination and development are needed due to inconsistencies in the medical records and conflicting statements from the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and remanded the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's other specified trauma or stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 50 percent prior to August 25, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and clarification of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical records and a determination of whether the Veteran is unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and his adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, persistent, is rated at 70 percent effective September 25, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Sleep Apnea with Restless Leg Syndrome due to inconsistencies in the October 2015 VA examination report. The RO is instructed to attempt to verify the Veteran's reported stressors, obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, and schedule a new VA examination for both PTSD and sleep disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD prior to May 18, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD from May 18, 2021 was also denied. The VA examiner noted that the Veteran now manifested occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal and there are no surviving eligible persons to take their place in the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the following issues: increased rating for allergic rhinitis, service connection for left leg disability, recurrent ovarian cyst, heart palpitations, and upper respiratory infection. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities have been granted an increased rating of 100%.

The appeal for service connection of bilateral hip and knee disorders is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded, while the claim for an increased rating for pes planus is granted with a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with features of PTSD and TDIU prior to August 12, 2021 are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board's remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period, and his claim for a TDIU is granted.