PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% for the period from January 16, 2020 to March 23, 2021. The right ankle fracture rating remains at 10%. Service connection for OSA and TDIU prior to March 23, 2021 are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 30, 2017. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating from the same date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, was not incurred in or due to his time in service.,There is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes that was incurred in or due to the Veteran's time in service. The Veteran reported difficulty hearing but did not have a diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim is moot due to a prior grant of service connection.,Service connection for Hypothyroidism and Diabetes Mellitus Type II are granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed and has stated that his inability to work was due to personal reasons rather than his disabilities.

The claims for service connection are being reconsidered due to newly received service treatment records. Service connection is granted for the skin condition, but other issues remain under review.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and migraine headaches have been granted higher ratings, but the Board has found further development is needed for other issues.,The Veteran's hypertension and right shoulder disability are also being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service assault. The Board has now granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his reported stressors and updated medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for TBI residuals, acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition with bilateral lower extremity numbness, right ankle condition, right heel condition, skin condition, and respiratory condition due to new and material evidence. These issues are remanded for further development.,The Board has also reopened the claims for these conditions but has not assigned a rating or effective date as the appeal is still in process.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is found to have had its onset during active service and is therefore service-connected.,Chronic bronchitis is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any other cause.,Essential tremors of the bilateral upper extremities are not service-connected as there is no link between the disability and service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for rating and effective date issues related to PTSD and DJD, L5 with thoracolumbar scoliosis as well as service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 50 percent to 0 percent, effective March 1, 2015. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 50 percent disability rating for the period from March 1, 2015 to June 26, 2017. The Veteran's PTSD is remanded for a new examination to assess current severity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 5, 2012, for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The original service connection decision was granted in January 2011 with a 30 percent rating and assigned from December 23, 1988. No NOD or new and material evidence was submitted within one year of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his claim for service connection is denied. The issue concerning Chapter 17 benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding back injury and bilateral atrophy of the testicles for further development.

The Veteran's vitamin D deficiency and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for PTSD from April 24, 2016 to September 19, 2017, but the ratings for PTSD in excess of 10%, 30%, and 70% have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee sprain, PTSD, abscess of the left ear, and myofascitis of the upper back, have impacted his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 23, 2019. The case is being referred for extra-schedular consideration.