PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, including VA examinations for his acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss (for VA purposes).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings of left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate claims are also remanded.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 30, 2011 for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted an increased evaluation to 70 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with a 50% rating effective August 18, 2016. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of the back disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Prior to August [REDACTED], 2016, the Board denied nonservice-connected pension benefits due to the Veteran's employment and net worth.,From August [REDACTED], 2016 to February 29, 2020, the Board granted nonservice-connected pension benefits as the Veteran met all criteria for basic entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability was previously denied. The VA has not received new and material evidence to reopen the claim. Diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 10 percent prior to June 2, 2021 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent. Other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and tension and migraine headaches, as well as her claim for a TDIU prior to June 4, 2018. The VA is directed to obtain relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity for a retrospective VA medical opinion regarding her headache disability.

The Veteran's MDD with history of psychotic features is granted as service-connected. The issue regarding other psychiatric disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CAD have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 26, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of total occupational and social impairment since October 3, 2018. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been denied. Service connection for ethmoid sinusitis is granted with a rating of 30 percent disabling. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD ratings are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his symptoms over time.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 20, 2017. Other service-connected conditions have been assigned specific ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was reopened and granted due to the submission of new evidence that supports a current diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, throughout the appeal period. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, difficulty establishing work and social relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected multiple traumas to left hand, fingers, and tendons. His PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's condition of surgical repairs and joint fusions of multiple traumas to the left hand, fingers, and tendons does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.