PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims related to his right knee condition, TBI, headaches (secondary to PTSD), and perennial rhinosinusitis with headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service periods need clarification, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 100 percent, while his right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent. The lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to October 11, 2018, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate given his occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,From October 11, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD did not warrant a higher disability rating as he was not experiencing total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective November 28, 2016. She is also granted TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, specifically the Veteran's statements asserting a continuity of symptoms from military service. As such, the claim is reopened. However, the issue of entitlement to service connection remains remanded as further medical examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Lumbosacral Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Shoulder Strain, Right Shoulder Strain, Cervical Spine Degenerative Joint Disease with Spondylosis, Tinnitus, and Right Knee Meniscal Tear Residuals, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for reentrance into a VR&E program was denied as there is no evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that she cannot perform her current job duties, and her occupation previously found rehabilitated under Chapter 31 is not shown to be unsuitable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disability, diverticulitis, hypertension, and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and dental disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric conditions, hepatitis C, liver scarring, and headaches. The RO is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from appropriate psychologists or psychiatrists, clinicians, and a clinician.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are all denied.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals rating from 100% to 40% as of February 1, 2014 was proper. The issues of higher ratings for PDD/PTSD and prostate cancer residuals are remanded due to new evidence being requested.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure and maintain gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address a request for additional time to submit evidence and argument, and to re-examine the evidence of record. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded as there was not substantial compliance with the Board's December 2019 remand directives.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The TDIU appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. Service connection for bilateral pes planus, hammer toes of both feet, and PTSD were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for PTSD has been withdrawn, and the claim is dismissed.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 22, 1972 for the Veteran's service connection for PTSD. The claim was not finally adjudicated and entitlement to service connection arose prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone precludes him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,PTSD is rated at 100% and the TDIU claim is dismissed due to the assigned rating.