PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, anemia with bleeding ulcers, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings for a left shoulder/arm disability, PTSD with depression, and spondylosis of the cervical spine. The appeal for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that his symptoms, while significant, did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent or higher rating due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and TBI, as well as the award of TDIU were denied. The effective dates for these decisions are not earlier than March 17, 2016.,An effective date prior to March 17, 2016 was also denied for the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of plantar warts, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to January 14, 2020 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD effective July 1, 2017.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, but denied reopening of service connection for any other acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA records, and to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether a diagnosed psychiatric disability arose during service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and substance abuse disorder. The VA will gather additional records and conduct a medical examination to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to potential conflicts in medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of August 3, 2020. The TDIU rating is granted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder from October 17, 1988 through August 31, 2010 was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD with substance abuse disorders caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating from December 23, 2007 to December 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and sleep disturbance, including sleep apnea and hypersomnia, are being remanded due to incomplete stressor development and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorders, and an increased rating for depression due to incomplete information in her claims file.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was granted a 50% rating from September 23, 2014 to April 14, 2015. Since then, the claim has been remanded for further action on other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for an updated VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but he believes it should be higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or other mental health conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination considering recent inpatient treatment records.