PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided, as well as the need for a new VA examination.

The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The claims for service connection for a low back disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and substance use disorder), obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, esophageal disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), and erectile dysfunction are all remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left ventricular hypertrophy disability is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 100 percent and does not affect his ability to perform daily activities or require special assistance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension was dismissed. The claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder prior to August 27, 2020 is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder beginning on August 27, 2020 is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his claim for a TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's Personality Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service connection for Gastrointestinal Disorder (IBS) and Hypertension is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to increased ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, shrapnel wounds, and fragment wounds. The appeal was also dismissed regarding the effective date of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a first metatarsal base osteotomy of the right foot, psychiatric disability (presumed to be depression and anxiety), and back disability have been granted. The service connection for these conditions is reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 29, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU for the periods from April 29, 2015 to June 9, 2016 and from August 1, 2018 to May 20, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be in need of regular aid and assistance. The claim for financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment was also denied as he does not meet the criteria due to nonservice-connected disabilities causing his need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder) is granted. The case of service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder) is granted. The case of service connection for sinusitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied a higher initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder from December 5, 2014 to February 12, 2019. The Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 3, 2016, for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The effective date is set at January 29, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless that he is in need of regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed reduction in rating for PTSD from 70 percent to 50 percent, as it was only a proposal and not a final decision on the merits.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2019 for the grant of TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The decision is not about service connection but rather about the effective date of a previously granted TDIU.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to review.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his service-connected right foot condition (Morton's Disease) is remanded for further development.