PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting entitlement to TDIU throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service or his service-connected colon cancer.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 21, 2007, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The decision stated that there was no evidence of earlier increased rating claims or worsening of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal as to sleep apnea was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, and left leg disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder was found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 20, 2020. From May 20, 2020, his condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA will need to provide a medical opinion on whether his diagnosed conditions are related to his in-service stressors and MOS.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral elbow conditions, and left knee condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus has a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. A 70% rating for PTSD is granted effective September 6, 2006. Service connection for the bilateral elbow conditions and left knee condition are also granted effective September 6, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her exposure to noise in Southwest Asia during service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating prior to June 23, 2016 due to his service-connected PTSD.,From June 23, 2016, the Veteran's combined disability rating exceeded 60%, qualifying him for SMC at the housebound rate until June 22, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective May 12, 2010. The issues of increased ratings for COPD, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and bilateral flat feet are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD, but the claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for glaucoma, PTSD, and a sleep disorder due to inadequate examinations and incomplete development of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor and failure to submit new and material evidence. The claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance was also denied as the Veteran is no longer in need of such assistance.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding increased disability evaluations for anxiety disorder and lumbar spine DDD, as well as the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for antisocial personality behavior disorder (claimed as intermittent explosive disorder), PTSD, and sleep disorder secondary to PTSD. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate those required for a higher evaluation.

A higher 70 percent rating for PTSD with MDD is granted retroactively effective from May 18, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD with insomnia. The examiner is asked to provide a comprehensive assessment of all diagnosed conditions since August 2012, including their relation to service, particularly the Veteran's reported fear for his life as an EOD technician.