PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a disability rating of 100 percent for the entire period on appeal, with total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 28, 2013, due to his service-connected PTSD. Prior to this date, the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability based on any single service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the March 2022 remand directives and the claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for headaches was denied as his headaches did not manifest with characteristic prostrating attacks.,The effective date for the 30 percent rating for headaches is set at December 16, 2015.,The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 50% disabling for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) prior to March 23, 2022 was denied due to lack of evidence of very prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 1, 2016. The TDIU claim for the period from January 29, 2014 to September 1, 2016 was dismissed as moot due to his receipt of a 100% rating. The TDIU claim for the period from September 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as moot because he has already received a 100% schedular rating for PTSD and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and a higher rating for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran needs to be provided with VA examinations to determine if he meets the criteria for PTSD, and to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus were denied, but his claim for obstructive sleep apnea was granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is not supported by evidence of a link to service.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the appeal is granted to this extent. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right foot conditions, bilateral shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to obtain legible service records and determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and clarification of symptoms attributed to non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and PTSD was denied, but his claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The Board also remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from October 9, 2012, to October 29, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 29, 2022, and a rating in excess of 50 percent from that date onward.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent prior to December 2, 2014 and denied for a higher rating. From December 2, 2014 onwards, the Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's TBI symptoms have resolved, are separately service-connected and rated, or are fully contemplated by his existing 100 percent rating for PTSD. The Veteran's BPPV is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected TBI.,The claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of a timely notice of disagreement with the May 2010 rating decision. The case will be referred for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU prior to May 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to October 19, 2017. The Board found that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were not met due to the presence of other disabilities and the Veteran's ability to perform his former occupation as a truck driver.