PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are rated at 70 percent. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to December 4, 2018 and the rating for this condition is denied thereafter. A compensable rating of IBS with GERD was granted prior to August 1, 2019. Bilateral hearing loss is also service-connected but not rated as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and associated radiculopathy have been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran’s claim for increases in the “staged” ratings for PTSD.,PTSD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 15, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), right hand disorders, left hand disorders, left foot disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, and right leg disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claim for dizzy spells is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS, and for special monthly compensation (SMC) for the loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. The appeals are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following gainful employment prior to March 31, 2015. Therefore, the effective date for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment prior to June 30, 2015. Therefore, the claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted for multiple service-connected disabilities from March 7, 2013 to September 17, 2018. From September 18, 2018, the Veteran's TDIU is granted solely due to his service-connected heart disease and PTSD, which are rated at 60 percent or more combined.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate examination findings, particularly regarding PTSD. The case will be returned for a new VA examination using DSM-IV criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for updated VA treatment records. The issues include chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic constipation, PTSD, bilateral hip disability, hand disability, foot disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining issues associated with the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but no higher, from July 8, 2011. The decision also found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 100% for his PTSD, effective from September 30, 2011 to August 6, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to issues related to PTSD and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and VA compensation benefits due to a lack of qualifying service prior to his discharge being changed from Under Other Than Honorable Conditions to honorable in August 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

A rating of 70 percent for PTSD was granted prior to March 17, 2014. Additionally, TDIU was also granted as of that date.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for depression and anxiety disorders, PTSD with depression and anxiety, low back disorder, neck/cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The decision on these issues is based on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in 2016, and the Board has determined that an effective date prior to February 5, 2016, is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there is no credible supporting evidence that he experienced an in-service stressor to which his current psychiatric disability may be related.