PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment. The Board found a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 4, 2016, based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and insomnia beginning November 25, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 4, 2022, is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate rationale in a September 2022 VA examination and internal inconsistency in findings. A new VA medical examination is needed, along with obtaining relevant SSA records.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development.,PTSD was rated at 50% prior to February 8, 2023, and 70% from that date. The appeal is remanded as well.,PTSD remains rated at 70% from February 8, 2023, to February 5, 2024. The appeal is also remanded for further development.,PTSD continues to be rated at 70%. The appeal is remanded again due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is not a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus no basis to grant the claim.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to September 18, 2023, on an extraschedular basis is being remanded as the AOJ did not consider all evidence of record and failed to refer the case to the Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause an impairment in his ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board found that the Veteran did not have an employment handicap and was therefore not entitled to VR&E services.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of her back disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees, despite considering pain and fatigue. Her PTSD due to MST claim is remanded as there was an error in failing to obtain an adequate addendum opinion.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy with dry eyes and cataract is granted a 20% rating effective March 6, 2020. The ratings for PTSD, Parkinson's disease, and malaria remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma, and headaches have been dismissed as moot.,An initial rating of 50 percent for the period prior to May 16, 2024, for headaches has been granted with a current effective date of May 16, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of pre-2017 disability preventing employment.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for DEA benefits, which are tied to his TDIU rating. Since the TDIU claim was denied, the Board concluded that an earlier effective date for DEA benefits is also not warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for Huntington's disease, headaches claimed as secondary to PTSD, and sleep apnea claimed as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The appeal of the claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed because the January 2022 notice letter identified on the February 2022 NOD does not constitute a determination that could be appealed.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing the Veteran became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation between October 18, 2016, and October 18, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder with agoraphobia due to pre-service events. The AOJ must obtain SSA records and provide a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently enrolled in college and has attempted to re-enter the workforce. The Board finds that his unemployability is due to his mental health conditions rather than his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for an increased evaluation is denied.