PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is granted as service connected due to aggravation by his service-connected disabilities. The Board vacated the previous decision denying this claim.

The claim for service connection of a left eye condition is dismissed.,PTSD has been granted at a 70% rating since June 10, 2014 and prior to that date. The Veteran also received TDIU effective January 29, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claim for fibromyalgia and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection of the low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is considered part of his reopened claim for a nervous condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70%, which does not meet the requirement for a permanent and total service-connected disability needed for DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, including as secondary to PTSD, and for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran's claim will be addressed in a new VA examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, the highest rating allowed.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his service-connected psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The earliest possible effective date is March 10, 2010, when he was granted service connection. However, as all psychiatric disabilities are rated on their symptomology regardless of diagnosis, the change from adjustment disorder to PTSD does not affect the effective date.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for development including completion of a TDIU form and an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a pre-existing mental health condition prior to active duty service and no nexus between military service and any current mental health symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% rating. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation prior to December 9, 2019. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 70% is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct, which could affect his discharge characterization and service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased rating for left knee disability, and initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to insufficient information provided by Joint Service Records Research Center (JSSRC) regarding the claimed in-service stressors. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination for his left knee disability and right ear hearing loss.

An effective date of December 17, 1984 is granted for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.,An effective date of December 17, 1984 is also granted for basic eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA).,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to July 31, 2015 is being remanded due to the improper recharacterization of the issue and consideration of new evidence within the appropriate appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and current psychiatric diagnoses. The VA will verify the Veteran's claimed stressors, obtain any relevant treatment records, and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the relationship between his service and his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot consider the merits of the claims as they are no longer relevant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.