PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's fatal CHF.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The issues include evaluating PTSD, TDIU effective date, and service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all his appeals, including the ones regarding PTSD ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depression with anxious distress were granted a 50% disability evaluation prior to February 12, 2020. From February 12, 2020, the Veteran was granted a 70% disability evaluation for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are granted as a result of in-service combat stressors during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 3, 2021. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions. From August 3, 2021 onwards, he has been granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss and PTSD. The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions, but further development is needed for some of the claims.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from February 20, 2016, at the earliest.

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, eye disabilities, and PTSD due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and the need for clarification on whether the Veteran was accurately diagnosed with PTSD during his March 2014 clinical evaluation. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for TBI prior to January 5, 2022 was denied. From January 5, 2022 onwards, his PTSD and GAD with residuals of a TBI were rated at 70 percent. The appeal for TDIU was withdrawn.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral pes planus claims are being remanded for additional medical evaluation and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, tinnitus, and PTSD has been granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD and DM2 have been rated at the lowest possible levels. The Board found that neither condition warranted a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as the earliest date of entitlement to service connection is February 5, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for pelvic floor dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 70 percent due to the Veteran's symptoms being more commensurate with his current 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records. The Board will determine if his PTSD began during service or is related to a lightning strike incident, as well as any other acquired mental health disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete contested claims procedures and instructed that full compliance with these procedures must be ensured before further action can be taken.