PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD causes him to be unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Residuals of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to in-service stressors, including military sexual trauma. The presumption of soundness applies as the disabilities preexisted service but were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling.,PTSD is not shown to cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. The issues have been inextricably intertwined with his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the appeal is moot since the August 2020 rating decision granted the sole benefit sought on appeal and the Veteran has not disagreed with it.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but no higher, effective from June 6, 2019. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating since July 28, 1998.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a dental condition, to include loss of teeth. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible assertions regarding in-service stressors and trauma.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, leading to a 70% rating prior to December 29, 2013. From December 29, 2013, the Veteran was granted a 100% rating due to two documented suicide attempts.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to PTSD and related conditions, effective September 17, 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU on the basis that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities prior to August 30, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, HIV, psoriasis, and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination in the original decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher than 70 percent rating for PTSD, as his symptoms were less severe than what would warrant such a rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for service connected varicocele removal, left scrotum with residual scar and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The issues are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD was denied by the Board. The appeal is based on a previous denial of service connection for right shoulder nerve damage and right arm pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA, to include as secondary to his PTSD, and for a higher rating for his PTSD. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions and conduct further examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lake County Medical Clinic on March 3, 2014 is denied because the treatment was not an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, are granted as they are found to be related to service.

The Board has restored a 70% rating for PTSD from February 1, 2015 to November 22, 2017, finding that the reduction was not proper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional records and a SOC.