PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Reaction and Depression is rated at 70 percent since October 1, 1980. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent from August 30, 2011 to April 21, 2020, while the left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent during the same period.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent disability rating since December 10, 2015, and special monthly compensation for the need of regular aid and attendance is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, due to insufficient evidence regarding a verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TDIU. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to obtain VA treatment records prior to June 11, 2015 relevant to his claim for PTSD. Additionally, he must provide evidence of his employment history and earnings since discharge from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's PTSD severity.

The Veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 23, 2013.,Since September 23, 2013, the Veteran has been found eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to schedule him for an examination and obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to November 10, 2020, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on her symptoms of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than January 24, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder and service connection for PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine, cervical spine, and psychiatric disability. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, to include as due to exposure to herbicides, and remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin condition.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms before June 25, 2018 did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,From September 5, 2006 to June 24, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as his claim for TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to complete a Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability (VA Form 21-8940).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability, back disability, left hip disability, and headaches has been dismissed. The claims for reopening of service connection for a back disability, left hip disability, and headaches have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, back disability, left hip disability, and headaches remains pending with the Board.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent since September 17, 2012.,The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 50 percent rating and is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran was granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD beginning February 5, 2019, and the claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD prior to June 2, 2021, was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, to include as due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's appeal is now pending before the RO again.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD due to the need for a contemporaneous examination given the passage of time since his last evaluation.