PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD with dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied, and his TDIU claim has also been denied as he is currently employed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and secondary alcohol use disorder is being remanded for further evaluation due to recent hospitalizations indicating a worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment with symptoms such as grossly inappropriate behavior, suicidal ideation, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, but has remanded the issue of whether clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was committed in the May 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB has been reopened, but the issue is remanded. The claim for service connection for alcohol abuse has also been reopened and is being remanded. The initial rating for migraine headaches remains at 50%.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and granted a higher rating to 70%. The Board also granted service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD, and OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disorder has been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claims for increased disability evaluation for right wrist fracture, back disorder, numbness of feet (presumably related to herbicide exposure), acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), left knee disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and spontaneous collapsed lung with COPD were granted earlier effective dates, but the PTSD claim was denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability within a year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's initial rating reduction from 50 percent to 10 percent for PTSD effective May 1, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the current nature and severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued since then. The decision is based on credible evidence of combat participation and in-service stressors.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to corroborate the Veteran's PTSD stressors, and thus remands the case for such development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) to include on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to the need for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and bladder was denied in 2008. The effective date has been changed to December 2, 2004, based on new evidence confirming the stressor.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate on and after August 24, 2021. SMC based on a need for aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for PTSD due to inadequate examinations and lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to November 1, 2018 was denied as he had sufficient ratings for his service-connected disabilities to meet the threshold minimum rating criteria for consideration of a TDIU on a schedular basis. However, he was not entitled to a TDIU before that date due to his employment history and education.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU since November 1, 2018 is dismissed as moot because he already had a combined 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities and received special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected. The claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD are remanded.