PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to lack of evidence corroborating the Veteran's reported stressors.,Further development is needed to determine if the Veteran experienced the claimed in-service stressors that are necessary for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, lung disorder and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or exposure to conditions that would warrant these diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus are granted with specific ratings. The left knee disability is granted at a 50% rating but no higher. Service connection for shrapnel wounds of the left hand is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for SMC based on a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, not including PTSD, are granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates for TDIU, service connection for PTSD, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance. The claims were not supported by sufficient specificity to meet the requirements of a CUE motion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since April 13, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that an increase to a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for PTSD and bilateral knee injuries, and the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving a combined 100% schedular rating for multiple service-connected disabilities, making it impossible to determine if any single disability alone would render him unemployable.

Your service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, has been granted. You are now receiving a full benefit of 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and left forearm disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from February 24, 2017 forward. A separate 10 percent rating for TBI residuals effective January 28, 2015 was granted. However, a higher rating for TBI residuals from August 3, 2020 forward is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted in an October 2020 rating decision, which represents a full grant of the benefits sought on appeal. As there is no case or controversy for the Board to adjudicate, the claim is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for another review due to insufficient reasons and bases in the June 2020 decision regarding the Veteran's work and educational background, as well as his ability to work. The appeal is now back with the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and alcohol abuse. The issues of TDIU are also remanded due to their inextricability from the rating issue.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective March 3, 2017, is granted. The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right hip conditions, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.