PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and PTSD have been remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the onset of symptoms. The Board will seek a VA examination to determine if there is direct service connection or if herbicide exposure contributed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% before September 11, 2019 and at 70% since then. The initial rating for chronic rhinosinusitis prior to March 13, 2019 is denied. A 30% disability rating is granted for chronic rhinosinusitis from March 13, 2019.,The Veteran's urticaria was rated at 10% before May 26, 2015 and a higher rating of 30% is granted since then.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities necessitated regular aid and attendance or permanent bedridden status.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied, and his TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% prior to March 2, 2015 and increased to 100% effective March 2, 2015. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 100% rating and found that the Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU from August 29, 2013 to March 2, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to August 7, 2019 and a 50 percent rating is granted from that date onward. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for higher ratings throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a temporary total evaluation due to psychiatric hospitalization and the award of basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for Individual Unemployability prior to January 2, 2011 is denied as he was gainfully employed full-time from November 9, 2008 to January 1, 2011 and did not meet the statutory criteria for a TDIU during that period.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% since October 27, 2009. The Board granted a higher rating to 70%, finding that the Veteran experienced occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and avoidance of negative memories.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gunshot wound to the left side of his head was a result of his own willful misconduct, and thus not incurred in line of duty. As such, service connection for TBI, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to verify the Veteran's reported in-service stressor involving the USS R. E. Peary rescuing refugees in May 1979, which he described at the March 2021 Board hearing and in a newspaper article submitted in November 2019.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound basis is denied as he does not have any disability rated at 100 percent disabling, including a single disability on which total disability rating (TDIU) may be based.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in December 2018, and he did not appeal. He filed a new claim on June 22, 2020, which was granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of left ear hearing loss, and his right ear hearing loss did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at 70 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Veteran's death certificate shows he passed away in April 2020. There was no pending claim at the time of his death, so there are no possible accrued benefits that could be paid to the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's death from esophageal cancer is now considered service-connected due to the combination of his service-connected PTSD and DMII, which substantially contributed to his condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's timely filed Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to the January 2018 rating decision denying an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is accepted. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of PTSD as there was no medical nexus linking the diagnosed PTSD to a confirmed in-service stressor.