PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 25, 2008 to May 24, 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to lack of evidence showing he needed regular assistance or was permanently housebound. The TDIU issue is remanded for consideration of entitlement from May 11, 2016 to February 17, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The decision also granted SMC at the housebound rate prior to August 6, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from February 13, 2018. Additionally, his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent (PTSD) combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more qualify him for SMC under specific VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is granted a 70 percent rating, effective prior to October 23, 2014. The left shoulder dislocation residuals are denied any increase in rating. The left knee DJD with limitation of motion and instability is also denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service medical records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service are being evaluated, as well as any aggravation of his disabilities.

The Board has previously denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 4, 2019. The case is being remanded due to incomplete opinions regarding the functional impact of PTSD and peripheral neuropathy on the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 31, 2011. He also received a TDIU and SMC based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 25, 2018. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse were found to be rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent disability rating. For TDIU, the Veteran was granted based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from May 31, 2018. Other conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, ADHD, bipolar personality disorder, and moderate depression secondary to service-connected left foot and left ankle disabilities, as well as bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he does not meet the schedular threshold for a TDIU prior to January 30, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating was at least 70% since July 30, 2013 and 100% effective since January 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for calcaneal spur, left foot and ankle; disabilities of the feet to include plantar fasciitis and bilateral pes planus; diabetes mellitus, Type II; TBI; and psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The issues are related to service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to May 10, 2019 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The appeals for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and TDIU are all denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric conditions, including adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, insomnia, major depression, PTSD, and alcohol abuse disorder, is denied. The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability are also denied in terms of increased ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service events.