PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 70 percent, but not more, with moderate impairment of memory, attention, concentration, or executive functions resulting in moderate functional impairment. PTSD and migraine headaches are separately rated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and degenerative disc disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2015. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, are remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last VA examinations in 2015. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cognitive disorder, left knee disability, bronchiolitis obliterans, hypertension, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder resulted in him being demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment prior to August 31, 1998. Therefore, a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted beginning June 30, 1989.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 16, 2015 for the assignment of a 30 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and arthritis was dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depression disorder was granted with an effective date set at October 1, 1997.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are found to be related to his current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The claim for right eye vision disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, migraine headaches, and vertigo, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 80% for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The claims for service connection for a back disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The issue of a TDIU was dismissed due to the grant of TDIU effective from February 12, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 1, 2012. The TDIU claim from December 8, 2011 to February 1, 2012 was dismissed due to the combined schedular rating of 100 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a back disorder was reopened due to new evidence received since the May 2013 rating decision. The claim of service connection for thoracolumbar disc space narrowing with degeneration and spondylosis and right knee residuals of remote partial thickness tear of the right ACL fibular collateral ligament sprain is granted.,Service connection for headaches is granted as the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran has a disability caused by his PTSD.,Service connection for TBI residuals is denied due to lack of competent and credible evidence showing causation.,A 30 percent rating for GERD since February 1, 2018 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is denied, and his TDIU claim from July 2, 2018, is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA has not provided medical records or indicated that they cannot be located.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, finding that additional evidence was not considered in the prior decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded for further review due to incomplete STRs and procedural issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder. The case will be returned for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) before March 4, 2019 are being remanded due to inadequate examination in the previous decision.