PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and bruxism have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding these issues during a hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective January 22, 2016. He also receives special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the housebound rate since April 9, 2020.

The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from August 22, 2018 to April 25, 2022. Prior to this date, the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders, as well as increased ratings for pilonidal cyst and scars. The TDIU and SMC claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the appeal period prior to October 19, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressor. The Veteran needs further assistance in verifying his alleged incident and may require a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 9, 2019. As such, the Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, back disability, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and PTSD, render him unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for residuals, right Achilles tendon injury. The claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (an in-service stressor). Other issues are also being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including adjudicating whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the final November 1989 administrative decision on the character of her discharge. The claim for service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran is not permanently bedridden, in need of regular aid and attendance, or so helpless as to be in need of such assistance.

The Board has remanded the claims for right toe arthritis, PTSD, and gastrointestinal disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ankle disability, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 28, 2022.,The Veteran's PTSD was also found not to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent from April 28, 2022.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to May 5, 2015, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits for the same period. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities included lumbar spine spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, right cubital tunnel syndrome, left cubital tunnel syndrome, PTSD, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, left elbow degenerative joint disease and tendinosis, a lumbar scar, left second metacarpophalangeal joint post traumatic arthritis, and an abdominal scar. The decision is based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional consideration of new evidence, including VA examination records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC), due to procedural errors. The issues on appeal are entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance needs and service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify a non-combat stressor related to witnessing an injury in service, and for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and Parkinson's disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional records. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and schizophrenia) and TDIU are in dispute.