PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and evaluation for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective April 1, 2007 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has directed that the VA obtain all outstanding records from the El Paso Vet Center for treatment dating back to at least 2010. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to this action.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to the need for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at a 100 percent since September 21, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he seeks a higher rating. He also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities including PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has remanded both issues for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the condition presumed due to combat exposure in Vietnam.,Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is granted based on herbicide agent exposure during service. The Veteran also has hypertension and left knee disability that are remanded for further review.,Diabetes mellitus, Type II, is granted as service-connected based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder, is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on stressful experiences during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, effective March 29, 2017. The Board has found that the Veteran should be granted a 50 percent disability rating for the period prior to March 29, 2017. However, the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50 percent and TDIU remain on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction and multiple fragment wounds of the buttocks. The remaining claims, including PTSD and prostate cancer, are remanded for additional development.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent prior to December 10, 2019 and a 70 percent rating thereafter. The criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment from January 16, 2015. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective January 16, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since June 20, 2005 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, and his secondary claim for service connection for hypertension due to PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, which is the highest available rating under the criteria for mental disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of a stressor event related to the Veteran's service. The second reported stressor, an explosion on the U.S.S. Midway in June 1990, was not addressed during the previous examination and needs further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, effective July 16, 2010, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.