PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating. However, his period of service from September 2013 to January 2015 is not considered dishonorable due to misconduct, which does not bar VA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks are currently rated at 70 percent. The Board denied the claim for an increased rating to a higher level of disability. Additionally, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 30, 2016. The Board found the symptoms warrant a higher rating from August 27, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was appropriately assigned as July 15, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since February 7, 2017.

The Veteran was granted an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD effective March 18, 2009.,The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to December 1, 2011 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate beginning December 1, 2011. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is granted effective December 1, 2011.,The Veteran's TDIU claim from December 1, 2011 onwards remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, including evaluating prior to September 6, 2016 and on or after that date. The VA is instructed to obtain Social Security Administration disability benefit records related to the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the skin disorder, leaving only other issues regarding PTSD, ulcerative colitis, and severance pay.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a more detailed evaluation to consider the severity and frequency of his symptoms throughout the period on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of VA examination before death, requiring further medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, nephropathy with hypertension, and other conditions, require the aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation at the R-1 rate.

The Veteran's TBI and PTSD were not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.,The Veteran is not shown to have had a bilateral hearing loss disability of such severity to constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and unspecified trauma stressor related disorder with other specified depressive disorder, are found to be service-connected as they are linked to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's current PTSD and MDD are found to have resulted from his service in Somalia, during his period of honorable active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and lumbosacral strain prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missing examination reports. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its relationship to his military service. Increased rating claims for left shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, and lumbosacral strain disabilities are also remanded due to incomplete examinations.