PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. The left hip and right hip disorders are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to the low back disorder. The low back disorder rating remains at 40%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as his education, skills, training, and work history allow for other types of work.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating prior to June 31, 2018.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma (MST) and depression, are service-connected. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms most closely approximated a 50 percent disability rating from June 30, 2006, through January 28, 2019. The claim for higher ratings was denied as the symptoms did not more closely approximate those associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for low back disability is denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD is granted, and SMC at the housebound rate is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted, but the Board found that there is no causal relationship between his current PTSD symptoms and his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent due to insufficient occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective March 6, 2017. The Board found this reduction improper and restored the 70% rating.,For the period on appeal (March 6, 2017 - May 4, 2022), the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher than 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and bipolar II disorder, is being reviewed as a result of his in-service stressors. His left knee disability is also under review, with an emphasis on whether it is related to his right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and alcohol use.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, diabetes, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 27, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met prior to May 6, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). From June 28, 2018, he also had additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable as at least 60 percent disabling, qualifying for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain any in-service mental health records that may have been maintained separately from her military medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a dental disability for VA outpatient treatment purposes is dismissed due to the incorrect re-adjudication in the SSOC.,Service connection for a dental disability for compensation purposes is denied as there is no evidence of service-connected trauma resulting in loss of teeth.

The Board has vacated its February 2022 decision, finding that the Veteran's claims for service connection were not properly considered due to missing evidence. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability is dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder) remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left ankle injury. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are being reviewed due to insufficient rationale provided by the previous VA examination. The Veteran's left ankle condition is also being reviewed for range of motion details.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent effective January 10, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending and the TDIU claim prior to May 25, 2021, is granted.