PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, while the claims for diabetes, heart disease, right lower extremity neurological disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, residuals of head injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 16, 2015 for service connection of PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus. Service connection is denied for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right elbow/arm, left elbow/arm, right hip, left hip, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened based on new evidence, but a definitive diagnosis cannot be made without an in-person examination.

The Veteran's discharge from service was upgraded to honorable conditions, thus the issue of whether his discharge bars VA compensation benefits is dismissed. The Board also notes that the underlying claims for service connection are not issues within this appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, and hepatitis C due to inadequate medical opinions in previous addendum evaluations. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again by a VA examiner.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding effective dates and ratings for service connection, rating, SMC based on housebound criteria, and DEA eligibility due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a claimed in-service helicopter accident, which is necessary to establish service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was received on February 11, 2015. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence revealed an earlier effective date for the award of a 70% disability rating is warranted and granted an effective date of February 11, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, effective from November 20, 2019. The earlier effective date for the increased rating of right wrist ganglion cyst remains June 5, 2014. Service connection and increased ratings are remanded for other issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to a confirmed in-service stressor, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current mental health condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and levoscoliosis, cervicothoracic spine pain, and thoracic spine pain due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds a need for another VA examination to provide an etiological opinion regarding the onset of his current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's right knee disability is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's respiratory or nose condition is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is at least likely as not related to his active duty service.,PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted, but the claim for heart murmur remains denied. The Board finds it necessary to recharacterize the issue of sleep apnea as a claim for insomnia due to military service. The Veteran's claims for vertigo/dizziness and sleep disorder are remanded for further examination.