PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran was granted a 70% rating for PTSD effective from August 19, 2010. The Board found that an earlier effective date of August 19, 2009 is warranted based on the evidence showing impairment prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 17, 2008 and the Board denied an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, prior to November 28, 2014.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was denied a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Board's decision on PTSD service connection is dismissed because the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) and the issue was moved from the legacy appeals system.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is rated at 70 percent since September 7, 2016. A TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's mild neurocognitive disorder and PTSD are rated at 70 percent, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 9310. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress are rated at a higher 70 percent for the initial period from February 22, 2008 to May 3, 2010. From May 4, 2010 onwards, an even higher 100 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right knee, left knee, left ankle, psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD), and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's initial rating for service-connected PTSD has been increased to 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and TBI were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a higher rating for tinnitus, left upper extremity radicular neuropathy, vascular headaches, epididymitis and testicle cyst condition, external hemorrhoids, and left arm scars. Service connection was granted for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically his psychiatric condition. The appellant contends that the Veteran suffered from major depression, anxiety, and PTSD during service which contributed to his death.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining outstanding records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, entitlement to a temporary total disability rating for PTSD, service connection for hepatitis C, and service connection for GERD are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 10, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and CFS are currently rated at 70% and 20%, respectively. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran’s headache disability, right foot malleolus fracture, and bilateral eye disability have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded several other issues including ear hearing loss, neck, upper back, lower back, bilateral knee, ankle arthritis, foot/toe disabilities, vertigo, Meniere's syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion asserting there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an August 2016 decision that denied service connection for residuals of a broken nose and found proper termination of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an anxiety or sleep condition (including as secondary to service-connected PTSD), and tinnitus. The claim for tinnitus is remanded.