PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to September 16, 2015. From September 16, 2015, the rating increased to 50%. The effective date for this increase is September 16, 2015. The Veteran also received a grant of SMP and TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 8, 2007 for the grant of service connection for PTSD due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in a May 2008 rating decision.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective August 11, 2014. Attorney fees are granted at 20% of the total past-due benefits awarded in the January 2020 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military sexual assault, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective September 29, 2004. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied as there were no in-service stressors or diagnosed psychiatric disability.,The Veteran's service connection claim for interstitial fibrosis due to asbestos exposure is remanded for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in August 2014 were inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back, neck, TBI, and psychiatric conditions. The issues have been returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a sleep disorder was denied. The initial rating for PTSD prior to May 16, 2019, was granted at 70%. However, the increased rating for PTSD from May 16, 2019, and TDIU prior to February 27, 2017, were both denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. He was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for part of the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic, clinically diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for anxiety disorder due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and tinnitus. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether OSA is causally related to active service or if not, whether it was due to or aggravated by PTSD. Additionally, the impact of obesity as a result of service-connected disabilities on OSA is also requested.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since September 28, 2012. The effective date for the TDIU is set to September 28, 2012.,PTSD has resulted in total occupational impairment from September 28, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been more clinically characteristic of those contemplated by the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation, but no more during the period between December 10, 2012 and November 14, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD and persistent depressive disorder have been granted a 100% rating throughout the appeal period, and he is also granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of PTSD, left knee degenerative arthritis, and asthma for further examination and opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and the rating for his lumbar spine disability remains at 40 percent. The initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 16, 2015, is denied, but a 20 percent rating is granted effective that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.