PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to March 1, 2021. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. Service connection for hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are granted, while service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, ingrown toenails, and a skin disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service. The examiner must consider all diagnosed conditions and verify any in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is related to his service in Vietnam and finds that this condition contributed substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 1, 2018 and a disability rating of 70 percent from December 1, 2018 to February 20, 2020 and from April 1, 2020. The Veteran is denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are currently pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since March 28, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities rated at 60 percent or more, qualifies him for both TDIU and SMC based on housebound status from June 10, 2016 to April 5, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral lung disability, to include COPD and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity. The Veteran's claim for bilateral eye disability, headaches, left cubital tunnel syndrome, GERD, and erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.,Service connection cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a current disability in service records or subsequent treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and scheduling issues for a VA examination. The Veteran's PTSD is being reviewed again as part of this process.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as his employment was considered in a protected work environment, despite earning income above the poverty threshold. The decision found that the Veteran's employment did not meet the criteria for TDIU because it was not substantially gainful and he had not been employed in a protected work environment.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD, CAD, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined disability rating of at least 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, low back disability, and skin condition of the left foot have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, leading to the dismissal of these issues.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issues on appeal, and thus these claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from October 31, 2014, to November 23, 2016, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability or have been rated as totally disabled for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU effective August 14, 2017.

The Veteran's compensation claim for PTSD due to a VA surgical procedure in September 2012 was denied. Service connection for both PTSD and OSA were also denied.