PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been granted with a 70% rating effective November 4, 2016. The Board has remanded the remaining service connection claims for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of records to determine the appropriate ratings for his service-connected conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, has been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for PTSD was denied due to the inability to confirm a stressor.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's skin condition is granted a 10% rating from April 19, 2022. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) is granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Prior to November 1, 2019, the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for small vessel ischemic disease, seizure disorder, lipoma of the lumbar spine, right knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, somatoform disorder, and major depressive disorder), and gastroenteritis. The Veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, and his TDIU is granted effective October 27, 2010. The Board found that the combination of service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since then.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected conditions on his employability. The Veteran is currently service connected for PTSD, right hip injuries, diabetes mellitus, type II, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of examination and further development is needed. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, multiple sclerosis, erectile dysfunction, assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound, and individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for revision of a March 1996 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is remanded due to the absence of a statement of the case addressing this issue.

The Veteran's stomach disability (ulcerative colitis) is granted service connection. An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD throughout the appeal period is granted. The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for sinusitis and tonsillectomy residuals are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment since March 2, 2020. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claims for back disability and left upper extremity disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and the claim for TDIU prior to December 21, 2013 remains pending. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating for PTSD due to her symptoms being less severe than those required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and tinea versicolor, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 29, 2018. The Board has remanded the case for consideration of whether TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

Effective December 3, 2014, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected PTSD.,Effective March 16, 2015, the Veteran is also granted SMC based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Bell's Palsy is denied. A 40 percent rating, but no higher, is granted for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and hypertension are not rated higher than the current levels. Service connection for PTSD is also denied.