PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA medical examination and etiology opinion regarding any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's service connection claim is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to December 2, 2019. The rating was increased to 70 percent effective from December 30, 2019. After the examination in December 2020, a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD is granted starting from December 2, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence of in-service stressors or a link to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is rated at 100% since February 6, 1996. The effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted as February 6, 1996. The Veteran's eligibility for Dependent’s Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, of the United States Code, is also granted with an effective date of February 6, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and alcohol dependence due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for further assessment of the Veteran's feasibility for VR&E services, including his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms did not more closely approximate a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current mental health conditions are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10%, and his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10%. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to October 18, 2016 is rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board found that the severity of his PTSD warranted no more than a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide information for obtaining additional records, and an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is granted as the evidence shows a link between his symptoms and an in-service stressor involving a helicopter crash.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder have been rated at the maximum available rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but his alcohol use disorder is not service-connected. The RO denied both claims as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 10 percent prior to July 27, 2019 and denied for a higher rating.,Starting from July 27, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent and also denied for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inconsistent medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess his PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, right thumb infection with arthritis and need for reconstruction, erectile dysfunction, scar associated with right thumb infection, and sleep apnea. The issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, right thumb infection with arthritis and need for reconstruction, erectile dysfunction, scar associated with right thumb infection, and sleep apnea are all remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's NOD regarding the May 2016 rating decision was not timely filed, and thus, the appeal is denied. The case is remanded for further development related to service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with disc herniation at L5/S, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include persistent depressive disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that her current diagnosis of PTSD is at least in part related to her active duty service. The decision also notes that evidence received since the October 2008 denial supports this determination.