PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and heart condition due to insufficient evidence. A new VA examination is needed for both conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from May 10, 2011. The issue of special monthly pension (SMP) benefits is dismissed as moot due to the greater benefit provided by TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left foot condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 28, 2018.

The Board has determined that a remand is needed to obtain mental health treatment records from Wuerzburg or Mannheim, Germany and add VAMC records since April 2017. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and bilateral leg pain due to lack of evidence showing the conditions are related to service. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded as there were errors in obtaining unit records.,Service connection for heart, skin, enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction, and sinus disorders is also remanded due to lack of evidence showing the conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable disability rating for PTSD as his claimed symptoms are already compensated under the criteria for his previously service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of June 2, 2006. The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 2, 2006 for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has remanded several other issues related to various disorders, including headaches, bilateral eye disorder, chronic sinusitis, skin disorder, neck disorder, upper back muscular disorder, left elbow disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, left hand disorder, right hand disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, and left foot disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee patellar chondromalacia, and right knee patellar chondromalacia have also been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from October 30, 2018 until February 13, 2019. The claim for a higher rating prior to this date and for an earlier effective date remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the July 2015 rating decision is final and no new or material evidence was submitted within the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. Specifically, VA examinations are required to assess the severity of his PTSD, as well as his colon cancer, hypertension, GI disability, and skin cancer. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that no prior communication indicated a claim for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 28, 2019, resulted in deficiencies in most areas including work and social functioning. A disability rating of 70 percent is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD has been granted, but the case is remanded as new evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but not higher. The rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome remains at a non-compensable level.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it may be significantly impacted by a determination on service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a verified stressor. Service connection for an anxiety disorder is remanded as there are no opinions on its etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they require further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% evaluation.,For the period prior to February 7, 2021, the Veteran's left knee lateral and anterior instability has been evaluated at 20%, but no higher.