PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar I disorder and PTSD) are remanded due to inadequate opinions in the July 2019 VA examination report and August 2019 VA mental health examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board denied attorney fees for past-due benefits from the August 2018 rating decision granting a TDIU, as no NOD was filed on the issue of TDIU and the claim is considered part of an increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development, including verification of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 1, 2013. From May 1, 2013 to October 20, 2013 and from January 1, 2014 to January 9, 2014, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since August 21, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from January 8, 2014 to June 25, 2019.,PTSD ratings in excess of 30% prior to January 8, 2014 and in excess of 70% after June 25, 2019 are denied. The Veteran's prostate carcinoma is rated at 60% from June 8, 2015 to June 20, 2016 and at 40% prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is granted a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The reduction in rating for prostate cancer residuals is reversed and the original 40 percent rating is restored.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Major Depression, finding that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM criteria. The Veteran's post-service treatment records show no current symptoms of depression or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to additional evidence and procedural issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for a higher disability rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the service-connected diabetes, PTSD, and/or medications for either are at least as likely as not (50 percent or more probability) the cause or aggravation of the veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD. The Board found no credible supporting evidence of the in-service stressor that led to the development of PTSD, and concluded there was no current diagnosis of depression separate from PTSD.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms warranted only a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and MDD, warrant a rating of 70 percent throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility requirements for a TDIU due to their combined rating of at most 50 percent, and there is no evidence that they prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's daughter, the appellant, is not eligible for retroactive payment of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she did not file a claim within one year of being notified that DEA benefits were granted since March 1985.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating. The Veteran also seeks a TDIU rating but was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and his claim for TDIU due to unclear evidence regarding the nature of his skin sensations and the need for updated VA medical records.