PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective August 20, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran’s disability more closely approximates the picture contemplated by the 70 percent rating prior to September 2, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. Prior to January 23, 2012, the Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability is remanded. The Board also found that the criteria for an effective date earlier than July 12, 2016 for the grant of service connection for PTSD are not met.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective from April 17, 2008. The rating for his heart disability remains at 30 percent and the rating for his diabetes remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B, left knee disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the hepatitis claim. The left knee and back disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of a current diagnosis or medical etiology.

The Board denied service connection for lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dental disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's lung disorder was not related to service or asbestos exposure. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have started within one year of separation from service. Service connection was also denied for his dental condition due to lack of evidence of a compensable disability. Finally, the Board found that service connection could not be granted for PTSD as it is presumed related to active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, and his employment was not precluded due to these conditions. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability and PTSD have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU on an extraschedular basis from July 31, 2006 to September 4, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and the appeal for an increased rating remains pending. The case has been remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding his COPD claim, as well as to address his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, with the Board finding that his PTSD is the primary cause of his unemployment.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including left ear hearing loss disability, prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DDD)/degenerative disc disease (DDD), and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining treatment records and providing examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for mild neurocognitive disorder as secondary to service-connected left ventricular hypertrophy and cerebral aneurysm, but the issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed PTSD, finding that his current psychiatric disorder is attributable to active service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones was denied in July 2015, and the claim has been reopened due to new evidence. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.,Service connection for IBS was granted in July 2015 with an effective date of November 19, 2014. The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date is dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been rated, with the hearing loss receiving a 10% rating prior to November 22, 2019 and a 20% rating thereafter. The PTSD has received a 30% rating prior to December 2, 2019 and a 50% rating from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depression, not otherwise specified, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate the level of impairment required for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and rhinitis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is reopened, but the issues of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.