PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's address was not properly verified and he did not receive proper notice of his scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating. The symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service. The denial also applies to his pension claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 17, 2017 and his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound criteria prior to that date. The decision is final as it does not address service connection.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 18, 2019 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The medical evidence did not support his claim of being unable to work due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The issues of a separate rating for TBI residuals not included in the PTSD rating and a higher rating for PTSD with TBI residuals remain remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, along with other disabilities, meet the criteria for a TDIU rating effective August 26, 2010. Additionally, SMC at the housebound rate is granted due to the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities.

A 10 percent rating for hypertension is granted effective November 28, 2022. A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. Rhinitis remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular A&A was denied by the RO, and he appealed. The Board found that service connection is not in effect for a disability causing anatomical loss or use of both feet, one hand and one foot, or blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity. Additionally, there is no evidence showing the Veteran was bedridden solely due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date remains January 10, 2023.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to errors in the May 2020 decision. The Board found that the Veteran has been in need of personal care services for at least six continuous months due to a need for supervision or protection based on his psychiatric disorder, but did not determine if it is in his best interest to participate in the program.

The Veteran's PTSD is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it can be distinguished from his service-connected persistent depressive disorder. The examiner must also provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for enrollment in the PCAFC program is being remanded due to an inadequate decision from the AOJ. The Board finds that the eligibility criteria were not properly considered, and additional evidence should be evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing is granted due to his service-connected disabilities affecting both lower extremities, resulting in the equivalent of loss of use. The appeal concerning a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot because the Veteran is now eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for PTSD and migraine headaches, as well as for special monthly compensation (SMC), aid and attendance or housebound. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period of September 18, 2014 to October 14, 2014. The Board found that his marginal income in this period was due to personal choice rather than a protected or shielded environment.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 16, 2020 for both TDIU and DEA benefits. The Board found the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 16, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was denied, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to untimely filing.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left eye disability, tinnitus, lumbar spondylosis with facet arthrosis and Schmorl nodes, right wrist disability (status post ganglion cyst removal), night coughing, chest pain and recurring rib displacement, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headache disability, bilateral pes planus, right hand disability, and left knee disability has been dismissed due to untimely filings of the Notice of Disagreement.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.