PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure of the RO to obtain all SSA records, including non-medical records. The VA is requested to schedule a VA examination for an opinion on whether his acquired psychiatric disability and headaches are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left ear disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 2018. The Board finds that the current VA examination is outdated and remands for a new one to determine the current severity of his PTSD. Additionally, the issue of TDIU is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.

The DIC benefits claim is denied because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318. The service connection for cause of death is remanded to determine if the Veteran's arrhythmia and congestive heart failure can be characterized as ischemic heart disease, and whether his type II diabetes caused or aggravated his renal insufficiency.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for hypertension have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the VA examination not complying with prior remand directives. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent since July 8, 2015 and 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for tinea pedis was denied as the condition had not been active in several years prior to his passing.,Service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities were also denied, with no diagnosed mental health conditions found.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, including dysthymia, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, as well as for a rating in excess of 10 percent for DJD of the right and left knees due to additional development being needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected allergic rhinitis and PTSD have been granted initial evaluations, with the rating for allergic rhinitis restored to 30 percent effective February 1, 2017. The Veteran is also granted a higher evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD prior to March 29, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and associated alcohol dependence, depression, and anxiety are granted as they are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected peptic ulcer disease. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric condition and his military service or his service-connected peptic ulcers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) and a sleep disorder due to incomplete development of evidence, including lack of specific notice regarding personal assault stressors. The Veteran will need to provide additional information about any outstanding treatment records and complete service treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD was not manifested by total occupational and social impairment, but she experienced reduced reliability and productivity. The appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 14, 2017, granted a 30 percent rating from June 14, 2017 to January 20, 2021, and denied for a rating in excess of 50 percent from January 21, 2021 to June 23, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD prior to February 10, 2016 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not show occupational and social impairment warranting such a higher rating during this period.,The appeals for service connection for low back disorder, migraine headaches, and chest pains radiating to left arm were also REMANDED as additional development is required.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to August 7, 2021 has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all remaining issues associated with this appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD and TDIU have been withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD was dismissed. The claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD is denied.