PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2021

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating from October 31, 2014 onwards due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Prior to this date, the criteria for a TDIU were not met.

The Veteran's mental health disability, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to total occupational and social impairment. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU since February 21, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and the initial disability rating for TBI residuals was granted at 40 percent. The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches were rated at 50 percent effective April 17, 2018. Other issues related to service connection or ratings remain pending.

The Veteran's initial PTSD claim was denied in 2013, and his appeal to reopen the claim is being remanded for a rating decision. The effective date of service connection remains April 11, 2017.

The claims for left wrist ganglion cyst and skin condition (claimed as acne) have been denied because the evidence does not establish a connection to service.,Tinnitus was granted, with no indication of noise exposure during service. The appellant's testimony regarding tinnitus is considered less credible due to its remote onset in service.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with its prior remand instructions and thus the appeal must be remanded again. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claims are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 25, 2021.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD and additional disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his TBI, headaches, and PTSD have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all active claims from appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 16, 2010 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU rating. The Board found that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder with panic attacks, depression and PTSD, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD). The reasons include needing additional VA mental health examination opinions and obtaining private treatment records from non-VA providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent since February 24, 2020. The Board also granted the Veteran a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a TDIU based solely on PTSD for purposes of determining entitlement to SMC due to confusion with previous decisions and the need to comply with the Court's order.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) is granted, as he meets the criteria with a combined rating of 100 percent due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as he does not have a loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor any other qualifying condition.

The Veteran's TDIU for the period prior to October 5, 2011 is granted due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.