PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 23, 2012. The effective date for service connection of left ear hearing loss remains July 15, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as evidenced by his ongoing income above the poverty threshold. The Board finds that he is not precluded from all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral feet disabilities, PFB, and right knee disability due to insufficient reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The appeals are now pending again with the Board.

The Board has granted a TDIU as of July 1, 2019 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) making it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymia. The decision finds that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his reported traumatic experiences in service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depression and bipolar disorder is remanded due to inadequate VA examination. Further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since November 20, 2009. The effective date for the TDIU award is set as of February 5, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to several issues, including providing proper notice for a personal assault claim related to PTSD, obtaining missing federal and private treatment records, and conducting a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for frostbite was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.,Her petition to reopen her PTSD claim due to military sexual trauma was granted, and she is now service-connected for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in his PTSD rating is denied, and he is granted a TDIU effective March 14, 2017. His PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as the Veteran passed away before a final decision could be made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a more recent examination.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is granted a rating of 20 percent from December 6, 2010 to September 11, 2013. The appeal for ratings in excess of 40 percent beginning on September 11, 2013 and for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) is denied. Ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are denied. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) radiculopathy are also denied. The Veteran's PTSD from December 6, 2010 to February 5, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 12, 2015. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms did not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of service connection for psychiatric disabilities (PTSD and MDD) and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment between September 30, 2011, the date he stopped working, and November 11, 2016, when his PTSD was found to be 100 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the denial of PTSD service connection, and has granted it. As a result, no further issues remain for decision.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His PTSD with alcohol/amphetamine abuse and panic disorder with agoraphobia is rated at 100% for the entire appeal period, and a TDIU due to this disability is dismissed as moot.