PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, dementia, PTSD, and degenerative lumbar spine condition are all granted as service-connected due to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and posttraumatic stress disorder resulted in a disability rating of 100 percent effective February 9, 2017.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to May 4, 2015, finding that the Veteran's symptoms most closely approximate those warranting such a rating.

The Veteran's attorney was granted fees for past-due benefits awarded in January 2019, but the amount is disputed. The March 2018 rating decision granting a higher PTSD rating also resulted in additional past-due benefits which were not properly accounted for.,There was an overpayment of attorney fees due to CRDP withholding and the Veteran's spouse being added as a dependent. The appellant disputes the calculation and requests clarification on the basis of the March 2018 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case because the VA examiner's opinion did not adequately address whether OSA is related to service or PTSD, and if so, whether it is caused by PTSD. The Veteran needs a new examination to provide these opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the cervical spine. The claims for PTSD and COPD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of increased rating for hearing loss disability, service connection for sleep disorder, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected shell fragment wound left thigh and right lower leg, as well as PTSD, were denied. The rating for the shell fragment wound left thigh was maintained at 40 percent, while the rating for the shell fragment wound right lower leg was maintained at 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and MDD, are related to his active duty service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from July 8, 2019, but his prior TDIU claim is still pending.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 6, 2010 to August 20, 2012. For the period prior to January 22, 2018, his PTSD was rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent after November 2, 2010. The left foot and ankle conditions are each rated at 30 percent. Diabetes mellitus and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 10 percent. Bilateral cataracts are rated as 10 percent effective October 28, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis for PTSD and that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence obtained by VA, and the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disability, TDIU on a schedular basis, and TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 27, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for further development. Specifically, VA must obtain missing SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not service-connected, but his PTSD remains service-connected with a 30% rating. The decision on the sleep apnea issue is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 23, 2019. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a diagnosis or link between his claimed condition and military service.