PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for mental condition and alcohol abuse is granted. Service connection for PTSD is also granted. The case is remanded due to the need for further development regarding hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating effective September 28, 2011 and a 100% rating effective June 24, 2016. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for back disability, headaches, bilateral foot condition, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to issues with obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on A&A.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, joint pain, sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder and PTSD) have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for these conditions. The rating for the low back disability is at least 40 percent throughout the appeal period, while initial ratings of 10 percent are granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy effective from November 13, 2013. The claim for TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of sleep apnea, which is currently service-connected as secondary to PTSD. The VA needs to provide an adequate opinion on these issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety before the decision was made, citing a written statement he submitted prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been granted a 50% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Board also found that he is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 11, 2021. The Board has ordered further development for the issues of a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, TDIU prior to August 11, 2021, and service connection for bilateral athlete's foot.

The Veteran's PTSD with severe AUD is rated as a total disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Dependence has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and dependency benefits. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain inpatient hospitalization records from Mannheim, Germany/U.S. Army Health Clinic, Mannheim, as well as any other relevant medical facilities where the Veteran received treatment for mental health conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need to associate missing documentation with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer and consequent prostatectomy. The matter will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board found that it does not warrant a higher evaluation. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU from March 18, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have worsened since his last VA examinations, and he has not appeared for recent VA examinations. The Board is remanding the cases to schedule new VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and depressive disorder is granted at a 100% rating beginning November 29, 2011. The claim for SMC under the Housebound Rate was denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board denied service connection for cause of death.