PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating and SMC for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating prior to November 3, 2016 and after that date.

The Veteran's claim for a combined evaluation of 90 percent disabling for his service-connected disabilities, effective July 19, 2017 is dismissed. The Board also finds that the earlier effective date of June 12, 2014 for the grant of service connection for PTSD should be remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective February 7, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia) is granted. Service connection for paranoid schizophrenia is also granted.

The Board has vacated the decision denying service connection for a sleep disorder, to include as secondary to PTSD. The case is now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. Additional development is needed, including obtaining relevant treatment records from the Vet Center in San Jose.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has been employed full-time in the oil field since at least 2014.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD for the initial rating period prior to September 24, 2019. A 100 percent disability rating for service-connected PTSD from September 25, 2019 is also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for the period prior to March 28, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent beginning March 28, 2016. PTSD symptoms are rated as total occupational and social impairment since March 26, 2016. OSA severity results in the use of a breathing assistance device but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for various psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, thinking, and mood. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to November 10, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is manifested by severe symptomatology, resulting in total occupational and social impairment throughout the entirety of the appeal period. The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD from September 1, 2013, to February 16, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.,Service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders were denied as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA treatment records and a need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent from December 4, 2010 to August 7, 2017. The symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, and the Board finds that such disorders are related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decision, specifically addressing the functional impact of PTSD symptoms such as anger, irritability, verbal aggression, violent temper, and suicidal thoughts. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms have worsened due to service-connected disabilities including prostate cancer.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for headaches, a higher initial rating for post-traumatic stress disorder with alcohol and cocaine use disorders, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's death.