PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability was denied.,PTSD with alcohol use disorder received initial ratings of 30% prior to December 11, 2019 and 70% from that date.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to a motorcycle accident, and the Board granted service connection for the cause of his death based on his service-connected PTSD.,Nonservice-connected death pension benefits were dismissed as there was no pending claim at the time of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have resulted from in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability is found to have proximately caused his back disability. The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD after September 19, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The VA has also remanded the claims for increased rating for shell fragment disability and seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back, cervical spine, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), bilateral pes planus, and a cervical spine disorders. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to determine if there are any records that support an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for his acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and Anxiety Disorder. The Board will also seek additional medical opinions to assess whether the disability increased in severity prior to August 24, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The issues related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been remanded due to potential changes in the Veteran's condition since his last examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 1, 2018. From March 1, 2018, the Veteran is granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to April 25, 2019, which meets the criteria for this rating.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the occupational impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and a fracture of the left foot. Additional development is required.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating from January 26, 2016 until September 6, 2018 due to his service-connected PTSD. Prior to this date, the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his fear of hostile military activity during his time aboard the USS Arlington is sufficient to establish a link between his current PTSD and his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service and if any other acquired psychiatric disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence supporting service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, including discrepancies in the Veteran's military records and alleged stressors. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease and PTSD were denied. The RO assigned effective dates of February 20, 2014, which is one year prior to the date that the Veteran’s claims were received by VA.,The Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for service connection for PTSD prior to February 20, 2015. The RO assigned an effective date of February 20, 2014, which is one year prior to the date that the Veteran’s FDC application was received by VA.