PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right index finger scar is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding bilateral foot pain and psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records and requesting an addendum to the November 2020 medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain is denied. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that the increase in disability was not factually ascertainable prior to June 8, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, and a sleep condition to include insomnia due to lack of compliance with previous remand orders. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to additional evidence being added to the record and a need for further development regarding the Veteran's employment status.

Service connection for basal cell carcinoma and a 100% rating for PTSD are granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding records and issues related to service connection, PTSD rating, and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective May 14, 2019. He also received TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.,PTSD was found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased rating for PTSD with opioid and alcohol use disorder, service connection for asthma, and service connection for erectile dysfunction have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and examination for PTSD claims based on in-service personal assault, and because VA treatment records need to be updated. The Veteran will be provided with special notice requirements for cases involving personal assault, and a psychiatric examination will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for a higher initial rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD with parasomnia is denied.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosis during or within one year after service and insufficient credible supporting evidence to establish in-service stressors. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a link between current symptoms and service.

An effective date of March 3, 2015, for a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted.,A 100 percent rating as of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for CAD is granted.,An effective date of June 14, 2017, but no earlier, for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted.,A rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD for accrued benefits is denied.,A rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), with erectile dysfunction, for accrued benefits is denied.,Rating higher than 30 percent prior to August 9, 2019, and higher than 60 percent thereafter for diabetic nephropathy with hypertension for accrued benefits is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression has been productive of total occupational and social impairment during the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and prostate cancer are granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced an in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, which supports a diagnosis of PTSD. Additionally, the Veteran was presumed exposed to herbicide agents (including Agent Orange) during his service in Vietnam, leading to presumptive service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension due to service connection. For PTSD, the Veteran needs to provide evidence of a verified in-service stressor related to MST. For hypertension, VA will attempt to determine if it is secondary to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's employment history prior to January 31, 2017. The Veteran is asked to provide his employment details for this period.