PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence and development needs.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since December 23, 2020. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the Veteran being in receipt of a 100% rating for her PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 17, 2004 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD with substance and alcohol abuse disorders has been dismissed due to his death before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of sufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression. The VA examiner is requested to provide an updated opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, as the severity of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied because his combined service-connected disability rating is at least 70%, meeting the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the ratings for right and left leg varicose veins are restored to 20 percent effective July 16, 2021. The earlier effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings for various disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 50% to 30%, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored the original 50% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since September 12, 2018. The effective date for service connection of PTSD has been set to February 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and his PTSD claim is remanded due to insufficient information on which to corroborate the stressful events described by him.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, skin disorder, and cancer due to potential service connection issues. The VA will need to provide new medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acquired psychiatric disorders are proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to unverified stressors and a need for an examination to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is etiologically related to active duty service.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD and MDD is dismissed as the claim has been granted.,The appeal for service connection for a left eye disorder, other than central retinal artery occlusion, is dismissed as the claim has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD), memory loss disability, and substance abuse disability have been denied. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and PTSD, is granted service connection. Service connection for left foot numbness is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is remanded due to his inability to perfect the appeal during times of relapse due to his PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and insomnia due to insufficient evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.