PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of February 11, 2021. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 1, 2020. The Board granted TDIU beginning that date. However, the issues regarding entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU prior to December 16, 2019 are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD requires regular aid and attendance, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 2012 rating decision to grant service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the March 2012 decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as the Veteran did not file her claim within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from June 5, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a personality disorder with obsessive compulsive features was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,Service connection for PTSD was also denied due to the lack of a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability and the absence of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied service connection claim for PTSD and determined that there is at least a reasonable possibility of establishing service connection based on evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current PTSD diagnosis and an in-service parachute accident stressor.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and verify in-service stressors. A VA examination will be conducted to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his income during the period on appeal. The RO needs to request the Veteran's social security earnings statements and/or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax returns for the period from May 2003 through February 2011, as well as identify any features of his employment as a sheltered or protected work environment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, while causing occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence or conflicting diagnoses. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, kidney disease/renal failure with hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision is effective from January 27, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has requested the withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as the earliest effective date is January 9, 2013.,For the period prior to January 20, 2021, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 50 percent rating. For the period beginning January 20, 2021 and thereafter, he was awarded a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for PTSD, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, a cervical spine disability, and a lower extremity circulatory disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's OSA, finding that it is secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has found that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the issue of an increased rating for PTSD. The issues of service connection for a heart disorder and for the cause of the Veteran's death are remanded.