PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board denied a separate evaluation for TBI as the symptoms of PTSD and TBI are so intertwined that they cannot be clearly separated.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 40 percent from May 16, 2012 to the present. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral knee disability are remanded.,PTSD was initially granted a 50% rating effective May 16, 2012. A TDIU award is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record, and the Veteran was not given an opportunity to respond. The claim for reopening service connection for PTSD is now pending again.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent, as they were more consistent with a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI); right knee disability; and tinnitus have all been denied.,There is no evidence linking the claimed conditions to service or any in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to May 17, 2017, and an effective date prior to that date for SMC based on housebound status is denied. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were rated as 30 percent disabling prior to May 17, 2017.

The Veteran's application for reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses from August 22, 2018, through September 19, 2018 was timely submitted and the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied prior to November 2, 2019, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected right hip disability alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment since February 10, 2014. The claim for a TDIU is denied as the Veteran was gainfully employed during the period at issue.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from September 21, 2013, to October 9, 2017. Since July 9, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD caused total occupational and social impairment.,TDIU was not granted as the Veteran was still employed full-time at that time.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, was productive of total occupational and social impairment for the entirety of the appeal period. The appeal for a temporary 100 percent evaluation due to hospitalization for psychiatric treatment has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD with alcohol use and unspecified depressive disorder was restored, and a separate rating of 10 percent was granted for allergic rhinitis. The entitlement to an increased rating for sinusitis remains pending.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned effective dates of July 18, 2013, for both Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were more nearly approximated by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from November 8, 2011. The Board granted an effective date of November 8, 2011 for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding his in-service stressor were not corroborated by evidence. The Board also found no indication of onset of the acquired psychiatric disorders due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is at least as likely as not related to his service in Vietnam and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating from March 1, 2017. Service connection for lumbar strain and respiratory disorder (COPD and bronchiectasis) are also granted. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 13, 2016, finding that his conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.