PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, claustrophobia, alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, and social anxiety disorder. The claustrophobia claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted after the August 2011 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of either condition or a link to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Veteran testified that his health conditions caused his depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim. The stressor event, involving a hand grenade incident during active duty in Korea, is considered sufficient to establish PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination, as instructed in previous remands. The Veteran has service-connected PTSD and seeks a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent before December 10, 2019 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of worsening during the appeal period.,PTSD symptoms have not met criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, as well as PTSD prior to July 20, 2020, were denied. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD since July 20, 2020, was also denied.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 23, 2015, for service connection of PTSD. The claim was initially denied in October 2005 and withdrawn by the Veteran in August 2007. A new claim to reopen the previously denied claim was received on February 23, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of his bilateral lower extremities have precluded him from maintaining substantially gainful employment due to physical and mental impairments.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 21, 2008. The claim for a higher rating was denied. TDIU from August 21, 2008 has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and Diverticulitis/IBS conditions are rated at the maximum levels, but she is granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include voiding dysfunction, renal dysfunction, PTSD, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 21, 2020 and at 50 percent since then.,Service connection for hypertension was denied as it is not shown to be related to the service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship with the Veteran's service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, including as secondary to type II diabetes, was denied because there is no evidence linking these conditions directly to the Veteran's service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted due to its onset during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to October 16, 2019. From that date onwards, the rating was increased to 70%. The decision grants a higher rating for PTSD.,PTSD symptoms from April 14, 2010 to October 16, 2019 were rated at 50% due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. From October 16, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70%, indicating more severe symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis, as well as addressing the conflicting evidence of arthritis in both feet versus no arthritis found on recent x-rays. The issues include entitlement to service connection for various conditions such as sleep apnea, foot disabilities, TBI residuals, headaches, PTSD, and increased ratings for sarcoidosis and back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent prior to April 26, 2017. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted prior to January 16, 2019. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran does not have total occupational and social impairment due to his service-connected disabilities. His TDIU claim was denied as he can still perform substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected conditions.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD.,PTSD symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.