PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including a new examination for PTSD and proper notice for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an anxiety disorder other than PTSD have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of current disability or service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant impairment in most areas of his life, including work and social interactions. He has been granted a higher rating from 50% to 70%, but not the maximum 100%.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, is now pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD, ischemic optic neuropathy, coronary artery disease, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been dismissed as withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an anxiety disorder has also been dismissed as withdrawn.,Beginning May 18, 2018, the Veteran is in receipt of a total schedular rating due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to TDIU beginning May 18, 2018, was dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 13, 2020 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The decision found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's PTSD increased in severity to warrant a 70 percent rating prior to January 13, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 2, 2018 for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected PTSD is granted. The effective date has been changed from November 20, 2019 to November 2, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major neurocognitive disorder. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional records from his treatment at the Hampton VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues of right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being addressed on the merits.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective January 27, 2021. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the March 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of an in-service personal assault, and the Board finds that his statements are credible and sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's competency to handle disbursement of VA funds is remanded due to a lack of clear and convincing evidence in the current record.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum 100 percent, rendering his TDIU claim moot.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to December 22, 2020, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by service and whether any increase in severity was due to its natural progression. Additional steps are needed to verify the inservice injury that led to his current condition.,The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify stressors.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to obtain in-service treatment records and verify the inservice injury.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it was diagnosed while in service and whether any increase in severity is due to his service-connected ankle disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it began during service, manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to service. Further steps are needed to verify stressors.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain.,The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether ED was aggravated by his acquired psychiatric disability.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, but no rating assigned as it is presumed due to in-service personal assault.