PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective March 8, 2017. He also received a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder rendered him unemployable, leading to a TDIU from April 19, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a stomach disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and Diabetes Mellitus, Type II were denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors for PTSD. The RO is instructed to request complete service personnel records, including performance reports, and notify the Veteran if no further action can be taken.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from June 21, 2017, to May 14, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 8, 2022.

The Board found that the Veteran's April 2017 VA Form 9, attempting to perfect his appeal for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD from March 2016, was untimely. The only VA Form 9 received by VA is dated February 15, 2017, and the Board concluded that it was not submitted in time due to procedural issues.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not fully developed, and thus remanded to allow for consideration of additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. His acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is also granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased PTSD rating is granted, and service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD are all granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome are also granted. Service connection for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depression and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent effective July 24, 2015. The initial compensable rating for post-traumatic headaches prior to December 4, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been granted.

The Veteran's HTN, epididymitis, ventral hernia, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's HTN, epididymitis, ventral hernia, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for PTSD is denied, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to TDIU effective June 6, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, resulting in denial of an increased rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was rated at 10 percent prior to March 1, 2022, and at 20 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy was also rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for reducing his PTSD rating from 70% to 30% has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for rating reductions has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to MST because the evidence did not establish a link between the current condition and service, despite credible testimony of in-service trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is remanded due to a duty to assist error in failing to verify the Veteran's reported stressors during service.