PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the entire period on appeal, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU due to lack of factual ascertainability that the Veteran's service-connected disability rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 31, 2016.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD and Depression due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed as VA treatment records are incomplete and a VA psychiatric examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back strain with degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD, and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 21, 2016. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective May 30, 2017, based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities. The Board found the earliest date it was factually ascertainable that he was unemployable due to these conditions was March 1, 2017.

The appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder II and acute psychotic features has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The decision also includes remand orders for the remaining issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and sleep apnea. The remand includes obtaining verification of claimed stressors, scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, and determining whether the Veteran's currently-diagnosed sleep apnea is related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of chronic sinusitis and COPD, as well as service connection for PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification regarding his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been granted. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, with symptoms consistent with occupational and social impairment in most areas. However, total occupational and social impairment has not been shown.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity frostbite residuals, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent from October 19, 2011 to August 15, 2012; 70 percent from August 16, 2012 to July 9, 2014; and 50 percent from July 10, 2014 forward.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been denied. The Veteran was hospitalized for his PTSD three times in October-November 2013, but this did not meet the criteria for a temporary total evaluation.

The case is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the initial disability ratings for PTSD, right finger disabilities, and TDIU prior to May 8, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum or supplemental opinion addressing whether the Veteran meets the DSM-5 criteria for a psychiatric disorder and if his current condition is at least as likely as not caused by service.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and seborrheic dermatitis of the face, scalp and ears with psychogenic excoriation of the skin due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as service-connected due to the established link between his in-service stressor and current symptoms.