PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service experiences. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability prior to May 1, 2012 is denied. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits beginning July 31, 2008.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for alcohol abuse, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (schizoaffective disorder), and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The diagnoses include PTSD, MDD, unspecified neurocognitive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and occupational experience since April 26, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to February 27, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to complete stressor development, which is necessary to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The appeal will be returned for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he has been able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 31, 2019, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's migraines, including as secondary to PTSD, should be remanded for further evaluation and a more detailed medical opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examination reports and considering all evidence added since the November 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The appeal for service connection for urethral stricture is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD, osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, alcoholism, chemical dependence, and insomnia are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependency is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran was granted a temporary total disability rating based on hospitalization due to his service-connected PTSD from February 5, 2013 to March 31, 2013.,Service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right foot is denied as there is no evidence of record supporting this claim.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a gunshot wound to the buttocks requires further medical examination or opinion due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded and will require additional development, including consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for his service-connected skin disability due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, prostate issues, skin condition/open sores on head, Alzheimer's disease with atypical motor neuron disease, PTSD, and anxiety. The remand requests additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The Veteran's testimony indicates a potential medical nexus between in-service experiences and current symptoms, but further examination is needed.