PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since August 22, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on the evidence showing his disability prevented him from working outside of his protected environment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating from February 2, 1978 to November 1, 1981. From November 2, 1981 through August 22, 2002, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD was granted at 30 percent, effective December 12, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran’s disability most nearly approximated a 50 percent evaluation prior to June 22, 2010. However, the Veteran is now seeking an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD as of June 22, 2010, and prior to May 26, 2015, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is remanded for additional development, including review of recent VA treatment records and a TDIU claim based on the Veteran's employment history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to breathing problems, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing loss did not meet the criteria for such a rating.,For PTSD, the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to January 6, 2016 and in excess of 50 percent on and after that date were both denied due to lack of evidence showing impairment warranting higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to consider whether referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating is necessary.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The appellant is entitled to a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) that considers all the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding no in-service injury or disease to which the current condition could be related.

The Board has found that additional evidence was added to the claims file since the April 2016 SOC and requires remand for further action, including obtaining any outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability level for the period prior to May 15, 2014.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, GERD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and elevated cholesterol. The remaining issues were remanded.,The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, right lower extremity circulatory disability, left lower extremity circulatory disability, and low back disability.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD from April 24, 2014. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot because the Veteran's PTSD alone already warrants a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent and 50 percent for service-connected psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD with anxiety disorder. The case is also remanded for development related to a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since January 26, 2013. This rating is granted.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted as of June 5, 2014.,Service connection for PFB is granted.,Service connection for Sleep Apnea and Erectile Dysfunction due to PTSD is granted.,Service connection for Tinnitus is remanded.,Service connection for Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DMII) is remanded.,Entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to and since August 26, 2011 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that further development is needed for the service connection claim for hypertension, including addressing secondary service connection with respect to PTSD, sleep apnea, and diabetes. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of performing daily activities or require regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the service connection for cause of death. The Veteran had PTSD that was rated as 70 percent disabling prior to his death in September 2017.