PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD prior to February 6, 2017 was denied. For the period beginning February 6, 2017, a higher evaluation of PTSD is also denied. The Board granted TDIU for the period from August 13, 2012 to February 5, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a higher rating.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder, has been dismissed as moot because your PTSD was already granted in a June 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcoholism is now rated at 70 percent, effective January 8, 2019. The previous rating of 50 percent remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent. Service connection for ED, sleep disorder, and hypertension secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development and lack of completed forms.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with the terms of a joint motion to remand, which includes obtaining retrospective medical opinions regarding when the Veteran's PTSD started.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for PTSD is restored effective September 24, 2014. The issue of an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains before the Board.

The Veteran's initial rating for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is denied as his diabetes does not require insulin or regulation of activities. The service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability, including DDD and osteoarthritis, is also denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or a nexus to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as a residual of and secondary to vertigo was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not demonstrate hearing loss on testing, thus no service connection is warranted. Other claims were remanded due to lack of VA examination records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The AOJ is to verify in-service stressors related to the Veteran's service in Korea and obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and PTSD with depression. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions and entitlement to a TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal, finding that a timely notice of disagreement was filed in January 2013 regarding the April 2012 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD with a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 23, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, specifically regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor of Operation Just Cause in Panama. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he has been rendered unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also withdrew his increased rating for PTSD, and the Board does not have jurisdiction over the sleep apnea issue.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent from September 24, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied. A TDIU is granted effective from February 18, 2011.