PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, TBI residuals, and chronic headaches have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since October 31, 2011. The Board has granted an extraschedular Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the period from October 31, 2011 to April 10, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat experience in service.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, were found to warrant a 70 percent initial evaluation from May 24, 2011, to June 3, 2016. The TDIU appeal was granted for the same period.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of October 7, 2002 for PTSD service connection is granted. The claims for new and material evidence for diabetes mellitus, increased disability rating for PTSD, service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide agent exposure, service connection for cataracts secondary to diabetes mellitus, and service connection for residuals of Agent Orange exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and cognitive disorder NOS due to TBI and post-concussive syndrome, with MDD and anxiety disorder are granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective February 13, 2020. The lumbar strain and scoliosis with degenerative arthritis and IVDS remain rated at 40 percent as of January 18, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board’s June 2017 remand directives and the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct a combined effects VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective September 12, 2012. The claim for an increased rating must be denied based on a lack of entitlement under the law.,The Veteran filed his claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches more than one year after his separation from active service and years following the first complaints and/or treatment for headaches. An effective date prior to August 24, 2017, is not warranted as the claim was received in August 24, 2017.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, anxiety and mood disorder, and TBI disabilities are currently rated based on their severity under the applicable rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings remain in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available was awarded.,The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine if he has an eye disability (macular holes) due to his military service. A remand is required to schedule such an examination.,The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending as there is conflicting evidence of record regarding whether the Veteran currently has PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disabilities, cervical strain, and left lower lumbar radiculopathy are rated based on their severity under the applicable rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings remain in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available was awarded.,The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD, right calcaneal spurring, and left lower lumbar radiculopathy disabilities have not been evaluated since April 2019. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these conditions based on their current severity.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as 50 percent disabling under DC 8100. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent remains pending and a remand is required to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his functional impairments, if any.,The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine whether he should be granted earlier effective dates prior to August 24, 2017. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these issues based on their current severity.,The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim remains pending as the remanded issues could significantly impact this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational functioning.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors or events, injuries, or diseases. Increased ratings were denied as there is no objective medical evidence of current disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus prior to June 1, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hammer toes, entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left hammer toes, and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% and he is granted an increased rating. Additionally, SMC at the housebound rate is granted from May 14, 2015 to November 11, 2015 and from February 1, 2016 to April 4, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD due to inconclusive opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of PTSD and herpes simplex with urticaria is dismissed due to the Veteran opting into the modernized appeals process under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The issue of an increased evaluation for PTSD is no longer in appellate status as it has been granted. The matter of an increased evaluation for herpes simplex with urticaria is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and tinnitus have been dismissed as they were granted in the July 2020 rating decision.,The Veteran’s right little finger disability claim has been remanded due to lack of a compensable rating.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, CAD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,A rating of 50 percent for the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities (PTSD, CAD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in September 2020.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1990 to November 2006, verifying stressor events, and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's depressive disorder is related to his active service.

Service connection granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.,Service connection denied for hyper-umbilical pain and left hydrocele, claimed as a groin injury.