PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for consideration of assignment of an extraschedular TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, Lumbar Spine Condition, and Cervical Spine Condition due to new evidence received after the January 2016 denial. The Veteran's current service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent from February 18, 2011 to July 13, 2016 and at 50 percent from July 14, 2016 to May 19, 2021. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms consistent with a 70 percent disability rating under the General Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that new evidence received after the March 2019 denial supports readjudicating the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and various drug and alcohol use disorders. However, the Board found no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors related to Saigon or other claimed incidents during military service, leading to a denial of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination despite the presence of a corroborated stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 23, 2018 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a hearing loss disorder is granted, and his PTSD rating is increased to 70 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus disabilities meet the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his reported in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal after receiving service connection for major depressive disorder and a combined rating increase to 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and prostate cancer were denied. The claim for prostate cancer was remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will require a new VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's claims for a 70 percent rating prior to May 14, 2019, for PTSD with adjustment disorder; an effective date prior to February 4, 2020, for TDIU and DEA benefits are remanded due to the need for clarification regarding his employment history during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and prostate cancer are denied. The claim for prostate cancer is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding herbicide agent exposure.

The appeal for service connection for right knee disability and left knee disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 29, 2004. The Board found that the Veteran engaged in combat during his Vietnam service and had a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service sexual assault, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are rated at 70 percent, but no more.,Service connection for cervical spine arthritis is denied.