PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of a claimed in-service stressor and for obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is granted, but the claim for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was granted with an effective date of March 31, 1973, the day following his discharge from service. His claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left leg disability and PTSD are service-connected. However, due to missing VA treatment records and a requested clarification letter from his treating psychologist regarding his PTSD diagnosis, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral foot immersion syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder have been granted service connection with effective dates of February 13, 1997, for the former and May 24, 2011, for the latter. The initial rating is set at 30 percent from May 24, 2011, to February 18, 2021.

The Veteran meets the requirements for special monthly compensation based on housebound status from December 6, 2017 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 20, 2016. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Veteran's spouse, L.H., is the caregiver and has been providing personal care services for him. The Board found that participation in the PCAFC would significantly enhance his ability to live safely at home. However, the claim was remanded due to incomplete caregiver training and assessment.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to lack of personal care services and caregiver training. The Board has decided the case should be remanded to complete necessary assessments and training.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for his PTSD rating, TDIU, and DEA benefits is denied as the evidence does not show that he met the schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to August 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of updated employment information from April 11, 2010 to June 15, 2017 for TDIU. The Veteran is requested to provide specific employment details covering this period.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 1, 2021, for the painful right-hand scar was denied as there is no indication that he filed a claim prior to July 1, 2021. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260 and cannot be increased.,The Veteran's service-connected right-hand shell fragment wound has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 22, 2007. He was granted a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD in July 2021.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error, as the AOJ failed to provide proper notice and scheduling for a VA examination. The Veteran was not provided with adequate information regarding the need to report for an in-person examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the initial grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The Board found that the September 1997 claim did not reasonably encompass a claim for CAD, and therefore, VA did not receive a valid claim prior to August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals have been granted a 100% rating from March 2, 2022 forward. The PTSD has not met the criteria for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted with an effective date of February 19, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his grant of service connection for hypertension is granted. The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for hypertension, and for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent, and were more closely approximated by a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is found to be etiologically related to his active service. The nasal injury and right big toe injury are also found to have onset during his period of honorable service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service-connected conditions as they are not currently in a position to make decisions due to the Veteran's death.