PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorders, is attributable to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions likely render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD due to a lack of inclusion in the June 2020 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas for the period prior to May 28, 2016. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Veteran was found not to have a current diagnosis of such a condition and his VA examiner concluded that any diagnosed conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to April 25, 2017 on an extraschedular basis is being remanded.,The issue of service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient compliance with prior remand directives, particularly regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his ability to primarily care for himself, despite some day-to-day difficulties.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition.,Prior to September 28, 2015, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

For the entire period on appeal, an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified substance-related disorder) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse is denied. The current rating of 70 percent is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate prior examinations and a need for a new examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy. The acquired psychiatric disorder is presumed to be related to the Veteran's in-service experiences and his other service-connected disabilities. Right and left upper extremity neuropathies are found to be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to March 1, 2017. A 50 percent disability evaluation was granted for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date earlier than July 14, 2009 for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), as well as TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran needs a retrospective medical opinion to determine when his PTSD symptoms first manifested and at what date entitlement to service connection arose.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion from the September 2020 VA examiner regarding any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability and its relation to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100 percent disabling, effective from December 10, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of all issues on appeal.