PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD has been rated at 70 percent since December 12, 2016. This rating is granted as the symptoms meet the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, but the claims for right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, hypertension, and right leg injury/broken are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for PTSD. The claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder is granted.

The Board denied the claim for attorney fees based on past-due benefits granted in a May 2016 rating decision because no final Board decision has been made with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is denied. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at 50 percent since the effective date of grant of service connection, but his disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms were consistent with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD in excess of 70 percent has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment, which is required for a 100% rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to August 25, 2016 was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities meeting the criteria for a combined rating of at least 70%. The Board noted that the Veteran had multiple service-connected conditions but did not meet the specific percentage requirements.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to June 8, 2017. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease and PTSD was denied. For CAD, the Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2009 to June 20, 2017. For PTSD, the Board concluded that prior to July 3, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and a sleep disorder. The claims are also remanded for further examinations regarding his knee disabilities, sciatica disabilities, and spinal disability.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, and he is also granted TDIU. The appeal for service connection on the merits is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for its adjudication of the Veteran's entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for his PTSD. The matter is now returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal, and TDIU is granted.

The Board has found the record incomplete and remanded for obtaining missing VA medical records, including from Hamilton, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Horsham, Pennsylvania; and Bucks County, Pennsylvania VA facilities. The CUE claims are also inextricably intertwined with the earlier effective date claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient detail in the most recent VA examination, and a new one is requested for an increased rating of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, resulting in a finding that he does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.