PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is causally related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to July 16, 2019, and at 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (median nerve) is rated at 30 percent for the right upper extremity and 20 percent for the left upper extremity. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy is rated at 20 percent prior to July 15, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more closely approximated a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (median nerve) is rated based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve bilaterally. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy is rated based on moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve bilaterally.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 20, 2016. Effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits are also granted on this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right hip disability, and gastrointestinal disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depression is reopened, but the claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hypertension rating is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. The Veteran is asked to complete a TDIU claim form and provide information about his volunteer work as a pastor, including dates and responsibilities. Updated VA treatment records are also requested. The Veteran should be scheduled for examinations by appropriate clinicians to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and cannabis use disorder are rated at 100% prior to September 12, 2022. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted prior to September 12, 2022. The Board has found the VA knee examination report of limited probative value and remanded the issues of service connection for recurrent right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 10, 2020 and at 70 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to lack of severe impairment in social functioning or occupational impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU appeal is remanded due to the significant impact of his service-connected PTSD on his ability to maintain employment. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating from January 10, 2008. His TDIU claim is also granted from that date. The Board found the Veteran's PTSD to be more than just a 50% disability and remanded for additional development regarding service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA's regulatory definition of a hearing loss disability or any other qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the original decision. The Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus need to be reassessed by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations for PTSD. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he is in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. However, the claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to January 3, 2019. Beginning January 3, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD and TBI are rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia is granted a 100 percent rating from January 26, 2015 through July 5, 2020. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities from April 5, 2013 through January 25, 2015 is dismissed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, are related to his detention and interrogation in East Berlin during service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, MDD, and anxiety have been reopened. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and arrange for an examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.