PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. After considering all evidence of record, the Board finds that there is a reasonable balance of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with a depressive disorder, has been granted. The evidence showed that the Veteran experienced personal assault and military sexual trauma during service which led to current mental health issues.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 18, 2013, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether ED is related to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST was reopened and remanded. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current PTSD diagnosis is related to the claimed MST incidents.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms prior to January 17, 2014 did not meet the criteria for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has remanded his claim for an increased rating. His RLE radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent since July 31, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective as of the date of decision. The right knee disability receives a 100 percent rating for one year following total knee replacement surgery on September 30, 2014. An increased rating higher than 30 percent for the service-connected right knee disability post-replacement is denied. A TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 26, 2018 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor ankylosis of either knee. Therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to verify the Veteran's reported exposure and stressors, as well as to attempt to substantiate service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 24, 2020. The Veteran needs to provide updated employment and income information to determine if his employment is gainful.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress, is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating or TDIU due to the service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 17, 2018.

The Board dismissed all claims pending before the Board except for the claim for TDIU from July 30, 2010 to September 22, 2013. The Veteran was found to be unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board found insufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment not meeting criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to additional evidence received since the October 2019 Board remand.