PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless or require regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and exposure to environmental hazards. The VA will need to provide a thorough examination and opinion on these issues.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, posttraumatic headaches as secondary to TBI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for back condition and hypertension are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol, cocaine, and stimulant use disorder and for TDIU due to an inadequate VA examination in December 2019. The Veteran needs a new examination that addresses his entire service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and the relationship between his PTSD and service.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder also claimed as PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective from August 7, 2008. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending and the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development of his dates of active service.,An effective date earlier than July 1, 2015 is not warranted as the increase in PTSD symptoms was factually ascertainable within one year from the submission of the Veteran's intent to file a claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis and its relation to service. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective September 1, 2016. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the 50% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied because his combined disability rating did not meet the criteria for TDIU at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating effective August 12, 2021. The appeal for an increased rating prior to this date is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the grant of service connection in a previous rating decision. The remaining issues are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if he has loss of use of his upper or lower extremities, which would be required for SMC(r)(1) entitlement. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD meets the criteria for a 50 percent initial rating, with occupational and social impairment due to difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, caused deficiencies in most areas of his life since May 7, 2012. The Board granted an effective date of May 7, 2012 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since November 2, 2016. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD symptoms and remanded the issue of TDIU due to its inextricability with the rating claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating based on PTSD is moot due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating. The claims for TDIU and SMC are remanded as further development is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since April 15, 2021. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion as to the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder that adequately considers his lay statements. The current VA opinion provided did not address the Veteran's lay statements or provide sufficient rationale.