PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder increased in severity consistent with the criteria for a 100% disability rating since November 2, 2018. An effective date of November 2, 2018 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that entitlement to these benefits was not established prior to April 16, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms do not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his current 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as there is no evidence showing that an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to February 20, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran's audiometric findings do not qualify him as having an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.,The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there is no evidence indicating that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cataract disorder. The case will be returned for a new opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t) because the evidence did not show that he required a higher level of care than what his caregivers provided, which would require professional health-care services or regular supervision by a trained health-care professional.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of November 17, 2021, for the award of service connection for PTSD. The decision states that the earliest effective date is based on the date the claim was received.

The Veteran's appeals of increased ratings for vertigo and PTSD have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 20, 2013, to October 16, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 27, 2017 for service connection of PTSD and TDIU. The claims are being remanded due to procedural errors in notifying the Veteran's representative and incomplete medical records.

The Board has found the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) review inadequate to support the decision that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits. The case is remanded for a new medical review considering all pertinent evidence, including recent assessments of the Veteran's care needs.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the RO correctly assigned January 15, 2019, as the proper effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective March 6, 2017. The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's reduction in the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 50% to 10% was improper, and his original 50% rating is restored. The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis and do not render him housebound, thus his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance and/or by being housebound is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for hearing loss, back pain, loss of sight, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and nervousness as the Veteran (or his authorized representative) requested withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his back disability, he is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,His right shoulder capsulitis is rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,His left shoulder capsulitis is rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right elbow limited extension, he is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right elbow impairment of supination and/or pronation, he is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,His GERD is rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right lower extremity radiculopathy, he is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to correct this by scheduling the Veteran for an examination with a psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and right hand little finger scar was denied. The Board found that the severity of the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD or 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to August 7, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating and granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary to ensure compliance with prior instructions and obtain a thorough examination to address the Veteran's psychiatric claims.