PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, MDD, ischemic heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent constipation, and recurrent hemorrhoids, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's son is denied recognition as a claimant for VA death benefits due to lack of evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18 or that he paid the last sickness and burial expenses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for restoration of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria from October 1, 2017, as he did not meet the schedular and factual criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is granted, with effective dates of August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, ear, and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his increased rating for a psychiatric disorder and the effective date of service connection has been dismissed due to the Veteran expressing satisfaction with the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he meets all elements of service connection: a current diagnosis, a link between symptoms and in-service stressors, and credible supporting evidence of the in-service stressors. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board also granted a TDIU as the evidence showed that her service-connected PTSD rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to June 5, 2018. Effective June 5, 2018, the Veteran is granted a 70% rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 30, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter, as well as his claim for TDIU due to new evidence being received since the last decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors. The VA needs to verify the circumstances of a soldier's death in Korea, consistent with the details provided by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, a left shoulder disability, and a neck disability due to the Veteran's election into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and PTSD. However, further development is needed as there are outstanding VA treatment records and stressor verification required.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including alcohol use disorder, separate from the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The TDIU claim was remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision denied entitlement to a compensable rating prior to October 29, 2020 and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected TBI beginning October 29, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and major depression disorder, rendered him unemployable during the period from March 8, 2010 to October 14, 2012. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left index finger scar, tension headaches, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his daily life.