PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The appeal concerning special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate prior to October 31, 2019 is being remanded for further adjudication. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered by the RO in accordance with a July 2020 memorandum decision from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating or TDIU has been denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU with an effective date of April 10, 1999. From January 26, 2009 onwards, he is also entitled to SMC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD based on military sexual trauma (MST), depression, bipolar disorder, acute stress disorder, affective mood disorder, and schizoaffective disorder is granted. The case is remanded for further examination of her lumbosacral spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and prostate cancer were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD prior to November 25, 2019 or for prostate cancer from January 13, 2011 to June 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, based on the credible in-service stressor reported by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a lower back condition, right and left knee conditions, right foot frostbite, left foot frostbite, right hand frostbite, left hand frostbite, tinea versicolor with tinea pedis, and status-post fracture of the left fourth finger with osteoarthritis. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to August 23, 2018 is being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The appeal will continue from August 23, 2018 onwards.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as both direct and secondary to migraine headaches, PTSD, and/or allergic rhinitis, should be remanded due to inadequate rationale in previous examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression. The claim is granted as the evidence shows a link between the Veteran's in-service stressor of military sexual trauma (MST) and her current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for a new examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to October 15, 2020 resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, and mood.,From October 15, 2020 onwards, the Veteran’s PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, earaches, and painful gums and teeth have been denied as her claimed conditions are not shown to be related to her military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner must address the Veteran's contentions of in-service events and stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating throughout the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of cerebral vascular accident (CVA) as secondary to her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).