PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of June 7, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment since his last job termination in June 2014 due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, insomnia disorder, right ankle and knee disorders, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of February 11, 2021. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine his unemployability prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling from September 1, 2016 through June 15, 2021, and from August 1, 2021 to August 23, 2021. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's initial ratings for PTSD and left knee degenerative joint disease with patellar tendonitis were reduced from 70% to 50%, and from 40% to 10%, respectively, both effective August 1, 2017. The reduction was granted as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including updated treatment records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his service connection claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and claustrophobia.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors and that the claimed stressors did not meet the criteria outlined in 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f).

The Veteran's PTSD and OCD have been rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his seizure disability claim was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The PTSD claim, however, was reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted based on a diagnosis provided by a VA psychologist.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia with possible psychosis, began in service or is otherwise related to service. The scope of the claim was improperly narrowed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to his military service. The VA needs to obtain additional treatment records and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to additional evidence received. The issues include increased rating for PTSD, effective date determination, service connection for female sexual arousal disorder, vulvar dermatitis, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for IHD/CAD, hypertension, and prostate cancer have been granted. The claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and persistent depressive disorder) and a respiratory disability (shortness of breath) are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from June 21, 2016.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder and mood disorder are also granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that they are causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial 100 percent schedular rating during the entire appeal period. The Board also found that she was not unemployable prior to January 12, 2016, and SMC at the housebound rate is warranted from January 2, 2017, forward.