PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the claim for service connection of GERD as secondary to PTSD, finding that there is no evidence linking the current GERD to a service-connected disability or active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent prior to March 3, 2020. From March 3, 2020, the Veteran is denied any increase in his disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS and alcohol abuse in partial remission, chloracne with icepick scars not disabling, and diabetes mellitus type II were denied initially in 2009 and 2013. The effective dates of these grants of service connection are set at March 20, 2015.,The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents’ Educational Assistance prior to March 1, 2016 is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period, effective August 12, 2015. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD was also granted prior to April 21, 2020.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD and granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective December 19, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability evaluation greater than 30 percent for other specified trauma-stress related disorder, also claimed as PTSD and depression, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is considered abandoned due to his failure to submit the requested VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and opinions regarding his PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition. The claims are not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act/Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dysthymic disorder did not begin during active service and is not related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim for PTSD was remanded due to incomplete records and need for a new examination using DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it only caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded both the service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding mental health treatment are considered, as well as VA treatment records.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is granted special monthly pension (SMP) for being housebound, but denied SMP based on the need for aid and attendance. The decision also denies accrued benefits due to a June 2002 rating decision for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 3, 2013. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not show total unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD have been granted service connection, with the anxiety disorder receiving a 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board denied an increase in disability rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD due to its worsening since his last evaluation. Additionally, both the increased disability evaluation and TDIU claims are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudo folliculitis barbae is currently rated at 60 percent, but the Board has remanded several other issues for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, leading to a grant of an increased evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran was also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment status, which may impact the determination of TDIU. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records and complete VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder are related to service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.