PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and difficulty chewing/swallowing are denied, but a noncompensable rating is assigned due to the Veteran's Parkinson's disease. Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence and need for updated treatment records, as well as for a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to September 11, 2021 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 70 percent rating and resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, PTSD, CAD, bilateral hearing loss, DMII, and neuropathy have been reopened. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability including as due to nerve or mustard gas exposure (anxiety disorder and PTSD). However, service connection is denied for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2, and neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of such condition and noting that the Veteran's depressive symptoms are subsumed within his PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU prior to August 21, 2014, on an extraschedular basis are being remanded due to the need for updated evidence and examination. The Board will schedule an updated VA examination for PTSD and refer the TDIU claim to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for various conditions, including PTSD, cervical spine strain, hemorrhoids, and seasonal allergic reaction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, separate and distinct from his already service-connected PTSD, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of such a condition prior to filing the claim or during its pendency.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of prostate cancer is granted.,Service connection for hypertension as due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The AOJ should verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents and provide a VA examination if necessary.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is remanded. A VA examination is needed to determine whether his current migraines are related to military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The AOJ should obtain updated VA treatment records and afford the Veteran a VA examination if necessary.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, presumed to be skin cancer, due to exposure to herbicide agents is remanded. The AOJ should verify his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and provide a VA examination if necessary.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, presumed to be PTSD, is remanded. The AOJ should obtain the Veteran's SSA records and afford him a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and thoracolumbar spine disability are currently rated at 30% and no rating, respectively. The Board has remanded the issue of increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, nerve disability, and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The AOJ must review all new evidence added to the file since the January 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (CAD, PTSD, and other conditions) render him in need of aid and attendance due to physical limitations caused by his multiple health issues. The Board has granted SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of May 5, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran met the basic eligibility criteria for these benefits prior to his initial claim in 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for right carpal tunnel syndrome, but the increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right hand remains denied. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to October 9, 2019 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board denied a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during active duty or due to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to new evidence from his private primary care physician regarding suicidal ideation, panic attacks, impaired impulse control, difficulty establishing/maintaining work and social relationships, and disturbances of motivation and mood. The RO must also adjudicate whether an award of a TDIU is warranted prior to June 30, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date prior to June 15, 2016 for PTSD and remanded his claims for a higher rating for IVDS and TDIU. The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent before June 9, 2020, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Bilateral hearing loss has not been rated compensably before September 16, 2020, but is now rated greater than 60 percent after that date. The Veteran's surgical scar associated with left spermatocelectomy received a 10% rating effective July 11, 2019.