PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to her service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that she was bedridden, confined to her immediate premises, or unable to care for herself without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and GAD. The appellant's claim is related to his exposure to graphic, violent videos during basic training.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and MDD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the December 1993 rating decision denying such claims. The effective date remains July 9, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board has expanded the claims to include other psychiatric conditions and remanded several issues related to his service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (including dementia and PTSD), diabetes, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and liver disability claims are all remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but denied the claim for Allergic Rhinitis due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding the etiology of the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD due to a military sexual trauma during her active duty is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 1, 2020. The Board found that the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment sufficient to warrant a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to concerns about the qualifications of the examiners who have performed mental health examinations on him.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 25, 2013. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for TBI and a left wrist disability. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record, and the issues of PTSD evaluation and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided, particularly regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and claustrophobia, is granted. The claustrophobia rating remains at 30%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease and internal disc disruption status post fusion L4-5 and L5-S1, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

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