PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective January 1, 2017. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed material improvement in his PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 10, 2022, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with the additional information.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted prior to February 1, 2022.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of TBI and increased ratings for PTSD, as well as a combined disability rating. The appellant withdrew his appeals in writing.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to verified stressors from service and has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and schizophrenia) and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and a need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI are currently rated based on their current manifestations, but the Board has remanded for further development due to inconsistencies in evidence. Hypertension is denied as not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD results in deficiencies in most areas, but not total social and occupational impairment. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this requirement. Additionally, he is eligible for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 3, 2021. The evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 3, 2008, to May 2, 2011. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran was unable to attend scheduled VA examinations due to incarceration.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 6, 2014. The Board found that his symptoms have caused significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, edema, a skin condition, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are dismissed. The claim of service connection for hypertension is allowed as new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for prostate cancer residuals, a surgical scar, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as service connection due to the evidence being at least in equipoise that it is related to her active military service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connection due to the evidence being at least in equipoise that it is related to her active military service.