PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and stomach ulcers secondary to PTSD due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral-spine disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in its entirety.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied previously due to a lack of clinical diagnosis, but new evidence from a VA psychiatrist now supports the claim. Therefore, the case must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to July 13, 2016 for the award of service connection for residuals of TBI is remanded. The Veteran also has a claim for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran seeks a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected residuals of TBI. His appeal for this issue is inextricably intertwined with his claim for an effective date prior to July 13, 2016 for the award of service connection for residuals of TBI as the appeal period must be determined.,The Veteran's appeal for higher staged initial evaluations for PTSD remains pending. A VA examination is required to determine whether the Veteran has memory loss and tension headaches that are part and parcel of his TBI or clinically distinct from his currently service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent since May 10, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not result in social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal, leaving no issues for review.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since November 4, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating or total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at a 70 percent evaluation, reflecting severe symptomatology that impacts his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since May 12, 2014. The Board has granted the TDIU claim with this effective date.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date and original evaluation for his service-connected PTSD, including based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and issue a statement of the case addressing these issues.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and dismissed the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The Veteran was already rated as having a service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of TBI from May 12, 2011 to December 16, 2016 was denied.,The Veteran's request for an increased rating for residuals of TBI with vestibulopathy from December 16, 2016 to December 18, 2019 and from December 18, 2019 to February 4, 2020 was denied.,The Veteran's request for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD from October 28, 2010 to February 4, 2020 was granted with a condition that the PTSD is evaluated in conjunction with his TBI.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye is granted. The TDIU rating due to diabetes and associated manifestations, particularly neuropathies, is also granted. However, SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it meets the criteria due to fear-related stressors in service, despite a previous VA examination finding him not meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board denied an increased rating. The claim for TDIU prior to October 18, 2011 was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating since November 30, 2016. The evidence shows more severe impairment from that date onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence linking his current disabilities to military service, including herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for TDIU as he had multiple service-connected disabilities rated at 90% combined.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection.