PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 4, 2005. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU due to the combination of his service-connected disabilities from September 23, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing examination records. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) that occurred during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal condition (GERD), cervical spine disability, skin disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, headache disability, and sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, including those related to Persian Gulf service.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with its October 2019 remand directives and has therefore remanded the case for further development, including verification of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and a VA examination to identify and determine the likely etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a liver condition, and whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for hepatitis. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is denied for ratings in excess of 50 percent prior to April 11, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent since that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted at a 70% rating from May 15, 2020. The effective date remains pending as the claim was not fully resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations, service connection, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 3, 2022 due to its interconnection with other pending claims. The Veteran's AMA appeal for initial rating and earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is not currently on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, allowing for a higher level of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residual scar of coronary bypass graft was denied as there were no other disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis that conforms to DSM-5 criteria and the absence of evidence linking current symptoms to service. The Veteran's mental health records do not show any mental disorders or treatment related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for scar, right lower donor site was denied as there were no other disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for scar, left lower donor site was denied as there were no other disabling effects not considered in a rating provided under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, abdominal hysterectomy, mechanical bowel obstruction, and bilateral knee disabilities, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 17, 2022. The Board has granted TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), a right knee disability, tinnitus, and neurological conditions affecting the legs and feet are all granted. The claim for service connection of low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD and depression, which were found to have been incurred during his active duty. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened and is being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot and left foot disabilities are also being remanded for further development.