PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis or if it is at least as likely as not that the disorder began in or is otherwise caused by his active service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's PTSD and COPD are denied with ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to June 13, 2019, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for PTSD, and in excess of 20 percent and 30 percent respectively for COPD. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and panic disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent for the period between December 12, 2016 and September 30, 2019. The TDIU claim from January 13, 2017 until September 30, 2019 was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied. Other claims were remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the need for additional records and clarification of employment status.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and bipolar I disorder was reopened due to new evidence, and the effective date of service connection is set at January 6, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran did not timely receive the October 2009 SOC due to circumstances outside his control (homelessness and psychiatric hospitalizations).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and insufficient VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 1, 2014. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as there was no evidence of unemployment.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims and evaluations for various conditions. Effective dates have been granted for PTSD, nephrolithiasis, tinnitus, lumbar degenerative disc disease, obstructive sleep apnea, unequal leg length, and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran's reported stressors did not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with cognitive disorder NOS is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorders, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU effective April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as well as TDIU due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's mental health condition, including PTSD, MDD, and Panic Disorder, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since June 10, 2013. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for these conditions effective October 30, 2019. Additionally, the Veteran was granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated medical records, examinations, and development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected conditions, specifically rhinitis and PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD due to MST, is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of service-connected hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings in any of these cases.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is granted a 70 percent rating prior to April 4, 2017, reflecting significant impairment in most areas of functioning.