PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for PTSD was granted effective August 8, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and service connection for sleep disturbance as secondary to a lumbar spine disability. The Board found that the current PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and determined that the chronic sleep impairment was subsumed under the PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to August 2, 2015 and at 70% beginning from that date. The effective date for the increased rating of 70% is set as of August 2, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right-ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder) based on in-service noise exposure and reported combat experiences.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and because of his heightened risk of illness and severe hearing loss during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The case will be returned for another medical opinion on the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD. The appeal was remanded for service connection of skin cancer.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 28, 2009 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and the presence of outstanding records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for hair loss, a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. Service connection is granted for hair loss.,The Veteran’s right knee and left knee disabilities are remanded as additional information is needed regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether PTSD was incurred during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of an in-service stressor, specifically seeing a Marine who committed suicide at the Marine Barracks. The Veteran's service personnel records will be obtained and he will undergo an examination to determine if he has a psychiatric disorder related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to January 13, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to insufficient examination reports.

Service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted due to the Veteran's credible in-service stressors and medical evidence linking his current symptoms to those events.

The Board has denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and the service connection claim for left knee condition is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information regarding the Veteran's earned income.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted with a 70% rating, effective from the date of his RAMP election. Service connection for PTSD is also granted. The claim for hypertension remains pending.