PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was set at July 5, 2017, based on the intent to file a claim that same day. The Veteran did not have any prior claims or communications regarding this condition before July 5, 2017.,The effective date for an increased rating for left foot hammer toes was denied as it could not be determined if there was an increase in severity of the condition within one year prior to July 5, 2017. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted on July 5, 2017.,The effective date for service connection for PTSD was set at July 5, 2017, based on the intent to file a claim that day. There were no prior claims or communications regarding this condition before July 5, 2017.,For tinnitus, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted as it is already at the maximum schedular rating.,For left foot hammer toes, an increased rating beyond 10 percent is not warranted as there was no evidence of worsening within one year prior to July 5, 2017. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted on this date.,The initial rating for PTSD was set at the maximum schedular rating (70%) due to the severity and frequency of symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective from the date of his claim in August 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to their death, and no effective date adjustment can be granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating since July 31, 2014.,The Veteran is also granted TDIU from August 21, 2014.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and failure to comply with prior remands. The examiner must address whether service-connected disabilities caused obesity, which then led to type 2 diabetes mellitus and death.

The Veteran's PTSD due to military sexual trauma is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection for low back disability (lumbar degenerative joint disease) is granted as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling for the entire appellate period. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but not higher, for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective November 21, 2019. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to that date and the request for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The rating for his panic disorder disability is remanded, as are the TDIU claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was denied. However, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities associated with diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of both lower extremities, qualifying him for specially adapted housing and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.,However, his appeal regarding financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her total vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoopherectomies and posttraumatic stress disorder, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 10 percent from April 7, 2010 to March 20, 2012 and at 30 percent from March 21, 2012 to January 30, 2014. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for the periods in question.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating due to service-connected PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational impairment for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to June 10, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.