PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further evaluation, as is his low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression with PTSD and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depressive symptoms remains pending as the previous grant of a 50 percent rating is not total. The Board finds that additional development, specifically obtaining Vet Center records from the Myrtle Beach Vet Center, must be performed before adjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, warranting a TDIU prior to July 16, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's in-service stressor and a need for further psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 27, 2020. After that date, he was found capable of securing such employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a neck disability and OSA due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and cocaine use disorder in full remission, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression. The Board found that there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders preexisted his military service and were not aggravated by it.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's death and his service-connected conditions or any other potential causes. The appellant must provide information about medical records that may support her claims.

The Board has found that the appellant should be given another opportunity to submit information relevant to her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD. The TDIU issue was not adjudicated as instructed in the previous remand, and thus is being remanded again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service stressor and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination and a need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a new PTSD evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent and a TDIU effective from May 10, 2017. An earlier effective date prior to February 20, 2015, for the award of service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment for the entire period on appeal, meeting the criteria for an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to January 11, 2020. From that date, the rating remains at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective July 18, 2012.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU, and his employment in a protected work environment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 50% rating prior to October 3, 2017. Service connection for a bladder condition and bilateral shoulder conditions are denied. A TDIU is granted from January 7, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent for the period prior to May 9, 2002. The effective date remains pending as no specific effective date was assigned.