PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric condition and ED.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and increased ratings due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding a stressor event and the need for further examination to determine if PTSD is warranted. The Veteran's service connection claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for hernia, right side is denied as there is no medical evidence linking it to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection has not been established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) as the Veteran's claims are based on unsupported lay assertions without corroborating evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent evaluation prior to July 15, 2020, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition, including a lack of current disability and service treatment records not showing symptoms. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to December 13, 2012, and referring the claim to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective from December 13, 2013. An earlier effective date prior to March 22, 2011, for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is related to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not show that his tinnitus began in service or is due to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity is remanded as further testing is needed to determine if it is related to diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and mild cognitive impairment) is granted as new evidence has been added, but a VA addendum opinion is needed to determine if the condition is aggravated by diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to unclear medical opinions and lack of VA records related to his claimed PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for psychiatric disabilities and a rating for his lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his treatment records from the Vet Center in Marietta, Georgia.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for further examination and development, particularly regarding the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation beginning April 18, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) to include a personality disorder, fainting spells, and dizziness due to lack of current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for tension headaches and initial staged ratings for PTSD prior to March 7, 2016, from May 1, 2016 through September 15, 2019, were denied. However, the Veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD from September 16, 2019, and his request for an increased rating in excess of 70% was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for a higher rating is denied. The issues of service connection for GERD and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD are remanded.