PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective from April 23, 2009. This grant applies to the entire period on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, and a higher rating for right knee injury residuals due to incomplete records and further examination. The Veteran's potential service in Grenada needs verification, and diagnostic testing is required for his right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination for PTSD and non-PTSD diagnoses, as well as treatment records from private providers.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to August 10, 2009. Since then, the symptoms have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors, specifically regarding his claimed PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the Veteran's death and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and depression are rated at 100 percent disabling since August 1, 2015. Effective May 22, 2019, the Veteran is also eligible for special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to an in-service sexual assault. The VA examiner will be asked to consider the Veteran's assertion of seeking an STD test approximately two months after his reported sexual assault.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for PTSD is denied because there is no evidence showing that the sexual assault he experienced while in VA care caused his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left shoulder strains, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU from July 27, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his PTSD is related to an in-service assault by a former friend and fellow servicemember.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since February 14, 2018. Effective from that date, the Veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD and right leg varicose veins were found to not warrant disability ratings in excess of the current 70 percent for PTSD and 10 percent for right leg varicose veins, respectively.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 20, 2016 for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran was also granted an effective date of July 20, 2016 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility based on his TDIU award.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD were found to be at least as likely as not caused by his in-service traumas. The right ankle pain with functional loss was less likely than not caused or aggravated by the service, while the left wrist strain was also less likely than not caused or aggravated by the service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms.,Service connection has been granted for the left ankle condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, with the Board finding that the evidence in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations from April and May 2019. The Court held that these examinations did not fully consider the Veteran's prior medical history, particularly his conceded in-service stressor of a mountain bike accident.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, resulting in a 30% initial rating and a 70% staged rating. Attorney fees are awarded based on the past-due benefits awarded in the March 2021 rating decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness/giddiness are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.