PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further evaluation of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% disability rating effective November 19, 2018. Other claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and evaluation of his PTSD, right foot condition, and left foot condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD was denied as the criteria for earlier effective dates have not been met.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to October 21, 2019. From that date onwards, he is granted a 100 percent disability rating.,PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment from October 21, 2019.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on evidence that supports a causal relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at a 30 percent disability rating from March 17, 2016 to June 11, 2020. The symptoms are such that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms during service and current diagnosis of a mental disorder are noted, but the VA examiner did not provide a nexus opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified psychotic disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (claimed as PTSD), finding that his current mental health conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no competent evidence of a diagnosis by a VA or VA-contract psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's TDIU benefits are granted effective January 18, 2018, due to her service-connected PTSD and low back disability. The effective date cannot be earlier as she was not service-connected for PTSD prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to changes in the Veteran's PTSD symptomatology and worsening of symptoms, including aggravation noted in January 2018. A new examination is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

An initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD from August 10, 2009 to July 23, 2010 was denied.,A 70 percent rating for PTSD since July 24, 2010 is granted.

The appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between his active duty service and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection due to chronic brain syndrome and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and for TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions on whether the Veteran's asthma is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder with psychotic features. The case needs further clarification from a pulmonologist.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not cause total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with chronic sleep impairment and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the issue of a reduction in disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded due to outstanding development needs. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded.