PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether PTSD meets the criteria for a diagnosis under DSM-IV/DSM-V.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since January 31, 2008. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for GERD and fibromyalgia have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has also been denied, but the Veteran is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability.,PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 70 percent prior to August 27, 2019, and 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements and diagnoses, requiring further examination and verification of his claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and he is now receiving a TDIU effective March 1, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD related to military sexual trauma is being returned for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, due to concerns about the adequacy of the previous VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric disorders are related to witnessing an explosion during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was dismissed as his representative requested withdrawal.,His initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.,He is not entitled to an increased rating for residuals of left thigh stab wound, except for the period after January 26, 2018 when he is assigned a 40 percent disability rating under DC 5314.,His initial compensable disability rating for a left thigh scar is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is REMANDED.,Service connection for PTSD and TBI are not granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravates his GERD, and thus grants service connection for GERD as aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for earlier effective dates for his awards of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status. The appeal is also remanded to address the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual employability.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, skin rash, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, specifically a lack of discussion in the VA examination report regarding an August 2001 letter from S.P. and whether hormonal imbalances related to the Veteran's hysterectomy could be aggravating her psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a chronic right ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder is being REMANDED due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as it did not have its onset during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from May 1, 2014 to June 13, 2016. This rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from the Houston VAMC. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sleep disability and TDIU due to unemployability based on service-connected disabilities. The issues include determining if the Veteran's sleep disability is related to active duty, PTSD, or medications prescribed for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD required hospital treatment at a VA facility for more than 21 days, qualifying him for a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.