PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shoulder conditions, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 12, 2020. His combined rating was at least 60% from August 19, 2009 through January 18, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 26, 2016.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. A 70% rating for PTSD is granted, and the Veteran is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted. The Board remanded the issues of hypertension and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development due to inadequate VA examination and lack of records. The Veteran's widow provided a statement describing her observations regarding his psychiatric symptoms, but the VA examiner was unable to provide an opinion without additional information.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits to obtain a master’s degree in cybersecurity is denied as he has overcome any impairment of employment due to his service-connected disabilities and currently holds suitable, stable government employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development to verify his claimed stressors and obtain a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the maximum of 100 percent for the entire appeal period, and his TDIU claim based on this condition is moot as he already receives a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective September 4, 2014. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability is also granted from September 4, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for the cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) due to additional development being needed. The Veteran died from cardiac arrest due to atherosclerosis with pleural effusion as a significant condition contributing to death.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the neck, sleep disorder (including narcolepsy and sleep apnea), PTSD, neurodermatitis, and TDIU due to incomplete development and lack of consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD, headaches, and insomnia are granted service connection. The remaining conditions (tinea pedis, iron deficiency anemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, memory loss after surgery during service, peripheral drusen, cataracts, and retina degeneration) have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in no worse than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board denied an initial rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims, including those for PTSD, right knee condition, bilateral shin splints, and headaches.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as he has not provided the required VA Form 21-8940, which assesses his employment and educational history. The RO must also send him a letter requesting information relevant to determining if he is unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for widespread pain, right foot drop, PTSD, and upper extremity disabilities are denied. The claim for increased ratings is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for nerve damage to the left side of face and eye, color blindness in the left eye, bronchitis, right collarbone condition with nerve damage, hemorrhoids, and acquired psychiatric conditions are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bipolar disorder, PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia was denied. The effective date is set at August 28, 2007.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for anxiety and depressive disorder have been denied.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD effective June 1, 2019, based on the finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2017 rating decision.