PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination, as well as the submission of new evidence that contradicts the findings from that examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted a 70 percent rating effective February 6, 2020. The claim for increased ratings for cervical spondylosis and total unemployability prior to July 26, 2010 are denied. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot after that date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal via a Statement in Support of Claim received in June 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's stressors are related to his in-service experiences and that he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including increased ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss, service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, and heart conditions. Additional development is needed to obtain outstanding records and conduct examinations.

The Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine the validity of the Veteran's claims for a temporary total evaluation due to right knee chondromalacia and service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 20, 2009. Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent from May 7, 2019 onwards. The initial rating for IBS remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD in March 1988, finding that the Veteran did not have verified in-service stressors and that his service duties did not establish a stressor. The decision is considered final.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information on the Veteran's claimed stressors and the need for a VA examination to clarify his psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as her last day of employment was May 16, 2007. The earliest possible date for the payment of TDIU is May 17, 2007.

The Veteran's skin disability and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The Veteran is currently service connected for PTSD, L5-S1 diskectomy, left fifth finger injury, and appendectomy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The claims are being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an increased rating of PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has been consistently engaged in substantially gainful employment throughout the relevant period on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from October 15, 2013 to February 28, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU for this period and dismissed the claim for a TDIU after March 1, 2019 due to the Veteran's PTSD being rated at 100%.

The Board has denied service connection for back, right hip, right knee, and right ankle disabilities as well as a psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected PTSD was dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, facial rash due to herbicide agent exposure, and headaches.