PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective October 19, 2020.,Effective September 2, 2011, a TDIU is granted. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right knee replacement rating is granted at 60%. The hypertension claim is denied. The left upper anterior chest costochondritis (chest pain) claim is granted with a 10% rating. The PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder claim results in an initial 50% rating and TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's employability prior to October 18, 2019. The Veteran is seeking a TDIU for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with OCD, anxiety and depression was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD related to service and granted the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent disability rating prior to June 26, 2019. The claim for a higher rating and TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and review by the AOJ. The issues of PTSD, hypertension, sleep apnea, and hepatitis C secondary to PTSD are still under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that the current 70 percent rating adequately compensates his symptoms, and there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right leg neuropathy and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, with the most severe symptom being mild incomplete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve.

The Veteran's skin disorder is granted service connection as secondary to herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, and bladder disorder (cystitis) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 5, 2019. He also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and insomnia is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, indicating total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 31, 2010 to May 31, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain substantial gainful employment from December 19, 2002, to July 5, 2004. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since January 3, 2018. The effective date for this rating remains January 3, 2018.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 100 percent for PTSD with insomnia disorder and post-concussion syndrome before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 100 percent effective March 19, 2014. His right and left upper extremity weakness are both rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor events and for further medical evaluation of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to January 25, 2018. Beginning January 25, 2018, the disability caused more severe impairment resulting in a higher evaluation of 70 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depressive disorder, have been evaluated at a 30 percent rating since May 18, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher evaluation.