PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his current incarceration.

The Board has granted the appeals to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and a left knee disability, but remanded both issues due to further development needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unemployable based on his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to March 30, 2015. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis and the effective date for DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically treatment records from Vet Centers and private sources. The Veteran's PTSD is already service-connected and rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for GERD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension and erectile dysfunction, are granted. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the effects of medications on the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion from a medical professional addressing this issue.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood prior to April 16, 2014, and thereafter. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private psychiatric records from Dr. E.W. Hoeper.

The Veteran's application to reopen his hearing loss disability claim has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely posttraumatic stress disorder), and coronary artery disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special month compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD due to MST. The Board has also found that the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his other diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 13, 2019 was rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating. The Veteran's PTSD since December 13, 2019 was also rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. His PTSD is rated at 50%, and the claim for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, low back disability, left knee disability, and hearing loss. The RO must conduct new examinations to assess the current severity of these disabilities and issue an SOC regarding the effective dates of the awards.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD prior to May 22, 2015 and from May 22, 2015 to October 11, 2019 has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the case as there is no remaining disagreement with any determination of fact or law.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, NOS. Service connection for PTSD and the other issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors, including a personal assault and fear of hostile military activity. The new evidence submitted after the Court's decision supports these findings.

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