PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, finding that he did not submit a timely request and that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from utilizing these education benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as they do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to determine the current severity of PTSD and for an earlier effective date determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from November 20, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disorders did not onset during service and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder from July 13, 2010, to August 6, 2018, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if her current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability is related to her military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating, and his claim for service connection for trapezius and lumbar pain with scoliosis was dismissed as withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, effective September 26, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective August 1, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and related symptoms prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial rating for TBI prior to August 22, 2019, and a higher rating thereafter for TBI with PTSD are denied. The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches associated with TBI also have an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether his service-connected PTSD aggravated his obesity, which is an intermediate step in determining if he qualifies for SMC. The case will be returned for additional VA medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 2, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they did not result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has now granted this claim, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The skin rash condition is rated as noncompensable, and the dacryocystitis of the left eye claim has been dismissed due to lack of appeal on the issue of effective date.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, along with other service-connected conditions, is rated at 40 percent. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.