PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disorder is reopened, and she has PTSD as a result of active service. The Board finds the Veteran needs an examination to determine her current right knee disability status and whether any of these issues are related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his claimed stressors and any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating for his service-connected back disability. The TDIU claim was also denied as of December 6, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 100% from January 7, 2014. The TBI residuals are currently noncompensable. As the Veteran is now receiving a 100% rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, the issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot.

The Veteran was previously denied a TDIU prior to February 14, 2017 due to his employment history and the severity of his service-connected disabilities. From that date forward, he is granted a TDIU based on his PTSD alone.,From February 14, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's TDIU was granted as his PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Parkinsonism, and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 18, 2013 to January 3, 2017. As the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether he can secure such employment, his claim for TDIU in this period is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and nonservice-connected dementia result in a need for regular aid and attendance, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from UC Mental Health in Salisbury and notifying the Veteran about sources other than his service records that may corroborate his claimed stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary depression has rendered him unemployable, and the Board grants TDIU effective as of December 8, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, folliculitis of the shoulders, back, hips and thighs, subluxation and chondromalacia of the left knee, bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, de Quervain's tenosynovitis of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral great toes, and right and left shoulder strain have been withdrawn. The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, residuals of an injury to the left index finger, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, chronic tendonitis and patella dislocation of the right knee, right knee scar, deviated nasal septum, allergic rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his back disability and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including private treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and anxiety disorder, was granted a 70 percent initial rating prior to July 2012. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been rendered moot due to the grant of this higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and updated VA treatment records, as well as potential adjustment of the effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's reinstatement of VR&E benefits due to his failure to progress in his rehabilitation program and lack of an employment handicap, despite having service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have been granted service connection, and he is now eligible for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD and skin disorder claims are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood, and Sleep Disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's 40 percent rating for macular degeneration is restored, and he is eligible for specially adapted housing.