PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The tremors claim is being remanded.,Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a hand (SMC) has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and TBI is rated at 70 percent, effective December 6, 2016. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for chest pains.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD and a TDIU prior to August 8, 2018. The claims are being remanded for additional development including obtaining state disability records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to most closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. As a result, the Veteran is granted an increased rating of 70 percent for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added by VA, and the Veteran's request for a waiver of review.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and finds that new evidence supports a finding of service connection. The neurological disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating beginning April 29, 2011. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his PTSD and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy ratings.,Additionally, the matter of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 1, 2017 is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues and must be remanded.

The Veteran's left hip and pinky finger disabilities have been granted service connection. The appeal for tinnitus, hyperlipidemia, and residuals of a first finger injury has been dismissed.,The appeals for PTSD, anxiety, depression, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability are pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for service-connected PTSD was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim. The Board also remanded issues related to overpayment of separation benefits.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess his current employment capacity given his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and dizziness, finding that they are not related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and/or tinnitus.,The Board also found no evidence of a pre-existing condition aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is currently employed in a suitable, stable government position and has overcome any impairment of employment to which his service-connected disabilities have substantially contributed. Therefore, he does not meet the requirements for VR&E benefits to obtain a Master's degree in Interior Design or Construction Management.

The Board has remanded the case due to new VA treatment records and will consider these records in readjudicating the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to May 30, 2018 and from June 1, 2020 onward, and denied for a higher rating. The appeal regarding the period from May 30, 2018 to May 31, 2020 is also denied.

The Board has denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left arm radiculopathy secondary to a cervical spine disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to October 12, 2020. From that date, the evidence shows a more severe level of impairment warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 8, 2021 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted (PTSD rating) while others are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD prior to September 27, 2018 and since that date has been denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent or 70 percent at any time during the appeal period.