PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted effective dates of December 5, 2016 for the awards of service connection for PTSD and TDIU. The Veteran's claims were not earlier than this date due to lack of a valid intent to file or formal claim prior to December 5, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of verification for the Veteran's in-service stressor and an incomplete examination, which may affect the determination of service connection for his psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, due to a lack of competent evidence meeting the DSM criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's requests to revise the April 7, 2006 rating decisions for RUE and LUE peripheral neuropathy as well as the March 5, 2010 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) have been denied. The evidence did not establish CUE in these decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address recent medical evidence. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed as a direct claim, with consideration of secondary service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity are consistent with his service and credible. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tremors is reopened, and the claims for traumatic brain injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and alcohol use disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been granted a 100% disability rating, and the issue of TDIU is moot as her current schedular rating already meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50%, resulted in a combined rating of 90% from October 13, 2016 to October 13, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period based on the severity and cumulative effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity received an increased rating from March 26, 2014 to October 17, 2017. The claim for a higher rating after that date remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 3, 2019 and his TDIU claim have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all remaining issues.

A rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 29, 2009. The Board has now granted a 70 percent rating for the period from December 29, 2009 to June 10, 2016, subject to laws and regulations governing payment of monetary benefits.

PTSD has been granted as related to an in-service stressor.,The claim for cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil is remanded due to lack of evidence corroborating exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of whether the Veteran is entitled to a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, and requests that additional VA treatment records be obtained.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of PTSD was remanded due to insufficient evidence. The appeals for service connection and effective date were also remanded.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder is granted service connection as it manifested within one year of separation from service. The Veteran is granted TDIU since March 5, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher initial rating for PTSD and TDIU due to PTSD, both prior to September 27, 2016. The VA is instructed to obtain all outstanding records from the Chillicothe VAMC and any additional private or employment records relevant to these matters.