PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for further development. The service connection claims for colon disability, ventral hernia, and renal cell carcinoma chromophobe type are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, cervical sprain, tinnitus, right and left knee degenerative joint disease, pes planus, and left eardrum surgery residuals, preclude him from engaging in gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor, and service connection for PTSD has been granted. Service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, bilateral hammer toes, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent prior to July 12, 2021. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded as additional private treatment records from Watauga Behavioral Health Services need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for bilateral pes planus and right foot hallux valgus is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion. The examiner must consider her reported military sexual trauma (MST) and in-service depression and suicidal ideation.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, service connection for bilateral eye disorder including glaucoma, and TDIU prior to November 15, 2018 due to the Veteran's death.

All appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 10, 2008 for the award of a TDIU based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a June 5, 2009 rating decision that only addressed increased PTSD disability.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU from May 28, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to inform the Veteran of VA's duty to assist in obtaining relevant records from private physicians. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The appeal for service connection of PTSD is dismissed. The claim for an increased rating of major depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms more closely approximate the criteria for this rating.

The Veteran's SMC claim for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since July 9, 2012 and increased to 70% effective March 19, 2020. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU prior to March 19, 2020.,The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in significant impairment but not total social or occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is more likely than not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU were denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating for PTSD or show that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.