PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 22, 2019 due to his service-connected PTSD and tinea pedis. The evidence showed that he had completed a bachelor's degree and was employed as an addiction counselor during part of the appeal period.,For the period from August 22, 2019 onwards, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100% disability rating for PTSD. As his PTSD alone prevents him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's cause of death, Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), was not related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's smoking habits were established prior to service and continued after service without any indication of being caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal, beginning March 26, 2008.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination for PTSD and to consider additional evidence submitted since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded, as it may impact his eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's heart disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension are all granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar disorder) is remanded as the VA examination did not address other diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating before May 2, 2017, and from May 2, 2017, onward, they did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent or higher.,From April 4, 2014, to June 24, 2021, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative changes was rated at 10 percent. After that date, it was rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's throat condition, right elbow disability, and skin disability were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both issues related to his PTSD rating and TDIU claim due to a lack of recent medical evidence and functional impairment assessment.

The Veteran's appeal of a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed. The issues of increases in the staged ratings assigned for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are service-connected as they are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and adjustment disorder, are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had its onset in service.,Service connection for PTSD was also granted, recharacterizing the previously diagnosed insomnia disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability and for TDIU due to additional evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury, Vision Disability, Sleep Apnea, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Hearing Loss Disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Bilateral Knee Disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Asthma has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to multiple issues remaining on appeal. The AOJ must review all new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD prior to March 19, 2008, has also been dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for PTSD disability rating and TDIU is dismissed due to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD, as there are missing Vet Center records from Susan Toth's treatment of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.