PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet, OSA, supraventricular arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II with ED, PTSD, Barrett's esophagus with GERD, upper extremity tremors, and hypertension, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, asthma, and tension headache disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from Fairfield/Travis AFB VA Outpatient Clinic.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling, but the Board has granted a rating of 70 percent effective January 23, 2017. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need to corroborate in-service stressors and determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following issues: entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for psoriatic arthritis. Additionally, the matter of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the above issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU was dismissed as the Board does not have jurisdiction over freestanding claims.,The Appellant's claim for CUE in prior rating decisions was also dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of service connection for headaches, dizziness/vertigo, and hypertension. The Board also denied the Veteran's requests for a higher rating for PTSD and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board has remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction, acquired psychiatric disorders (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and residual pain from a gunshot wound to the lower back due to insufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent prior to March 8, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied. The earlier effective date for the 70% evaluation of PTSD, TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) claims prior to November 23, 2020, is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate for the entire period on appeal. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressed mood, alcohol abuse, and insomnia as there remains no case or controversy regarding this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to an error in the VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, CAD, DM II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower legs, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from November 15, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU for the period from July 13, 2019, to April 1, 2021, is rendered moot due to SMC benefits based on aid and attendance being in effect during this timeframe.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors made by the AOJ prior to the September 2019 and January 2020 rating decisions, which warrant a remand for further action. The Veteran is being requested to be afforded VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of his left ear actinic keratosis and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with depressive disorder was granted on April 22, 2022. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.