PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the Veteran's bladder disability and right foot disability remain pending. The case is remanded to provide a VA examination for these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol substance use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran was granted a temporary total evaluation for hospital treatment in excess of 21 days due to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, a lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran has not been diagnosed with bilateral upper extremity neuropathy or any other condition related to his service. His claims for hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, TBI, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity conditions, and knee disorders are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unemployable solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for right knee, neck, and acquired psychiatric disabilities (to include PTSD). The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period, effective February 10, 2014. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition remains at a 50 percent rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD, effective July 1, 2016, finding that the reduction was improper due to a lack of proper findings regarding whether there was an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a left arm disability, to include a left elbow disability, has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for TBI has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for sleep disorder has been reopened and is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since March 30, 2011. Effective February 22, 2013, the Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for higher initial ratings for posttraumatic headaches, PTSD with alcohol abuse, and TBI. The Board has determined that new evidence was received within a year of the August 2014 rating decision, allowing these issues to remain pending. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is raised due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claim for higher initial ratings. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and review of records.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling prior to the temporary 100 percent rating from December 5, 2019 to January 31, 2020 based on hospitalization over 21 days.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since November 16, 2007. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU rating effective that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at various levels from March 12, 2010 to May 24, 2018. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these periods.

The Veteran's TDIU based solely on PTSD, combined with other disabilities meeting the 60% threshold, qualifies for SMC at the housebound rate effective December 19, 2017.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the April 2020 VA medical opinion was inadequate because it did not address whether the Veteran's OSA is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain an updated opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's anxiety and/or depression to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to February 19, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with residuals of TBI. The evidence did not show that it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran's symptoms worsened during this period.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has expressed the desire to withdraw his current appeal and refile at a later date.