PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused total occupational and social impairment since August 7, 2014. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for the period beginning on that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus due to potential relevance with the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are now rated at 60 percent effective February 22, 2021. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent beginning May 30, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with cognitive disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety has been reopened. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and outstanding service records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for severance of service connection for PTSD and fibromyalgia due to fraud, as there was evidence showing intentional misrepresentations made by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including PTSD, asthma, DJD of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and migraines) render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and right knee condition, caused or aggravated his obesity. The examiner is asked to determine if obesity was a substantial factor in causing sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for further psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired neurobehavioral/psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is etiologically related to service and grants the claim.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU and special monthly compensation based on housebound status are granted from September 22, 2017 to February 28, 2018. Prior to this date, the criteria for these benefits were not met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and other specific trauma and stressor related disorder. Service connection is now established for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, right knee, left knee, low back, cervical spine, and acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD) due to a lack of VA treatment records and potential stressor verification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, hearing loss, and mild neurocognitive disorder, do not render him unemployable as he was laid off due to a reduction in force rather than his service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is found to be related to his in-service trauma or stressors. Service connection for this condition is granted.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury is also found to be related to his in-service injuries and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective March 27, 2018. Effective November 4, 2020, the Veteran's SMC claim is also granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU and DEA benefits from March 14, 2011 to February 10, 2014. SMC for housebound status was denied as the Veteran does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 60% or more.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran's claims are pending and will be reconsidered after further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders, is granted as secondary to his service-connected Hodgkin's lymphoma. The rating for the status post left axillary/left subclavian veins blood clot remains remanded.