PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's chloracne and PTSD with alcohol dependence are granted as service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and major depressive disorder, is denied. Service connection for a back disability and neck disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of claims for effective dates earlier than January 29, 2018 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is REMANDED for further development on issues including low back disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, psychiatric disorders, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence, requiring a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral inguinal hernia, residual inguinal hernia scars (combined with painful pelvic scars), and PTSD. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU from November 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including a major depressive disorder and increased rating for skin disorder due to incomplete medical development. The RO is directed to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations as per the October 2019 remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as total, nor is he permanently bedridden or in need of regular aid and attendance due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for pes planus, kidney disorder (including urinary tract infection), and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety with panic disorder, and depression) is remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The issues are related to service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to link his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated depression is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of the previous VA examination and the reported worsening of symptoms, particularly regarding panic attacks.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction in rating for PTSD from 100 percent to 70 percent and entitlement to a higher rating was dismissed due to the Veteran's authorized representative requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective June 19, 2015. The low back disability issue was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities rendered him unemployable, leading to a TDIU from October 15, 2015. The Board also granted an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain gainful employment effective February 25, 2013. A TDIU is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to January 15, 2020 and denied for a higher rating.,PTSD from January 15, 2020 remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain JSRRC records, which could potentially corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors and determine if he has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or service-connected disability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD features is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.