PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disabilities are not related to his military service due to a prior determination of willful misconduct in relation to his TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% evaluation, and bilateral hearing loss is granted a 10% evaluation starting from April 12, 2021. The issues of TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective February 1, 2021. The reduction is now overturned and the Veteran's PTSD rating has been restored to 70%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the feet and knees, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for PTSD and failure of duty to assist, requiring a new examination to address TBI and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound due to his non-service-connected dementia.

Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed.,An effective date prior to February 9, 2018, for service connection of depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 9, 2018, is granted.

The Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder in remission, is etiologically related to military sexual trauma that occurred during service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for PTSD was denied. Prior to April 24, 2020, the rating remained at 50 percent. From April 24, 2020, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied because the June 2021 decision was considered an initial decision on these issues, and the appellant cannot charge fees for representation provided before the date of notice of the initial decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, found no evidence of a current diagnosis and concluded that the Veteran's Bipolar II Disorder already covers his symptoms. The Board also denied separate ratings for acquired psychiatric disorders due to overlapping symptoms. Service connection was not granted because of willful misconduct in alcohol and cannabis use.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to June 21, 2010 for PTSD with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. The decision found that the Veteran's service records were of record at the time of the original rating decision in December 1985 and did not support a retroactive evaluation due to lack of evidence of an in-service event.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety and depression), TBI, and headaches. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.,There is no medical evidence showing any in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, scars status post heart surgery, lung pleural effusion, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression with sleep problems and PTSD) are granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The earliest possible effective date assigned by VA is March 18, 2014, which is the date of receipt of her petition to reopen her service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD, and because the issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to June 14, 2021 and 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent beginning June 14, 2021. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and depression/major depression due to a lack of evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor and no causal relationship between current conditions and military service.