PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, PTSD, and lumbar spine scar) do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the appeal period prior to March 8, 2012 and remanded for further rating consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating from May 20, 2011, to March 10, 2015. A subsequent 100 percent rating for PTSD was granted starting from March 11, 2015. The Veteran also received a TDIU for the period from May 20, 2011, to March 10, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling prior to February 25, 2020. The Board found the evidence supported a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in April 2004 due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. The Board found that the correct facts were available but incorrectly applied the law, leading to an erroneous denial. As a result, the effective date for service connection is now October 27, 2003.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including to corroborate in-service stressors and to obtain etiology opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to verify in-service stressors and potential exposure to herbicide agents, as well as to obtain VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his back (and associated scars), left hip, and bilateral knees disorders.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility are granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and effective date prior to October 1, 2017 for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, so the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and cervical spine disability are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology, with consideration of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically the lack of updated VA treatment records for the period from March 2020 to the present. The Board finds that these records are necessary to make an informed decision on his claims.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his condition results in significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD in the Appeals Modernization Act hearing docket stream, allowing the legacy system to continue with this issue.

The Board has decided that new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to readjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The decision is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding VA treatment records. A new examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her in-service stressors or personal assault.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on the issues of service connection for TBI, GERD, hypertension, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for neck and right knee disabilities, as these issues are related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and related radiculopathy.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to June 29, 2022. From that date onwards, the rating remains at 70 percent. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective October 20, 2022. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the cumulative impact of his service-connected conditions.