PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and prostate cancer do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating for service-connected PTSD, so the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder with anxious mood (PTSD) is denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's right hypothenar eminence scar does not warrant a compensable disability rating due to lack of other disabling effects not considered under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ataxia cerebellar with diplopia and dysarthria is remanded as the onset date of the condition needs clarification, and authorization to obtain relevant private treatment records is required.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded due to his assertion that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support service connection for a lumbar spine disability or psychiatric disability (PTSD). The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional development.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a more recent assessment due to potential increase in symptomatology. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU prior to January 22, 2020 due to incomplete VA treatment records and lack of employment information. The Veteran is asked to provide these details.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the accrued benefits claim due to its inextricability with other pending claims, specifically the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU. The appeal will be addressed again after adjudication of these other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 18, 2008. From January 18, 2008 onward, the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the case is no longer under consideration.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated those contemplated in the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD has been denied. The claims for effective dates earlier than March 25, 2015, for the grant of service connection for these conditions have also been denied. The claim for COPD has been reopened due to new evidence submitted. Service connection for tension headaches is granted. Service connection for a back disability and high cholesterol are denied. Service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities as well as disabilities manifested by left and right hand numbness are not established. The Veteran's TDIU claim related to PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stressor events are uncorroborated and inconsistent with his MOS, leading to a remand for an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and back disorder was denied. However, the Veteran received a grant of a 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar strain with chronic subscapular myositis from February 20, 2014. The decision is mixed as it granted one issue (back disorder) but denied another (PTSD and major depressive disorder).

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability during the pendency of the claim. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and there are no manifestations not contemplated by this rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded as the evidence does not meet the requirements to establish service connection based on fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it warrants a higher 50 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his left ankle scars, corneal scarring, and TDIU.