PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by stressful events in service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted DIC benefits for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD aggravated his coronary heart disease and contributed to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn.,Service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been granted due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% disability rating from October 1, 2015 through December 13, 2018 and a TDIU prior to July 25, 2016. The Veteran's right knee disability had its ratings denied in excess of the assigned percentages.,The Veteran was granted an increased rating for PTSD from October 1, 2015 through December 13, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to an in-service personal assault are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to scheduling issues, not because of any changes in the merits of the cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100% from November 16, 2020, and the issue of a higher rating prior to that date remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression and PTSD), and CFS due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to June 26, 2017 was manifested by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board found the symptoms did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at a 50% disability rating, effective September 2017. The Board found that the symptoms most closely approximated those of reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as difficulty understanding complex commands, forgetting to complete tasks, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due solely to service-connected PTSD, effective December 4, 2010. The issue of SMC based on the same condition remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since March 16, 2011. Prior to this date, the Veteran was not granted an increased rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected heart disability and whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, psoriasis, headaches, and a pituitary tumor due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's service records show he had stressors related to racism and harassment during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to an in-service personal assault during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are related to her military service or pre-existing conditions. The examiner will also assess whether any current psychiatric condition clearly existed prior to her active duty.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD was reduced from a 100% rating to a 50% rating, but the Board has restored the original 100% rating due to procedural inadequacies and lack of proper examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded to obtain additional medical records.,The Board is also remanding the claim for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person and/or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inconsistencies in his employment history and the need for a VA examination to assess his current functional impairment.