PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for automobile or adaptive equipment, special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need for aid and attendance, and service connection for a skin disorder other than dermatophytosis or tinea versicolor have been dismissed.,An effective date earlier than March 12, 2010 for the assignment of a 20 percent rating for residuals of a left foot fracture has not been granted. The Veteran's claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent effective October 3, 2015. He is also granted a TDIU effective that date.,A disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his right foot disability has not been granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records from the VA Choice Program. The Board will seek additional relevant treatment records and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied. For PTSD, an initial rating of 70 percent but no higher was granted prior to May 20, 2019, and a rating in excess of 70 percent since then was denied. The Veteran also received a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), and they have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Veteran does not qualify for Special Monthly Compensation based on statutory housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for PTSD prior to March 20, 2012 is being remanded due to the lack of medical records and a need for a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of travel expenses was denied because it was not filed within the required 30-day period after completing the travel, which included emergency treatment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from September 28, 2012. A TDIU is granted effective August 6, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 21, 2009 to August 10, 2017 and remains denied for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with degenerative joint disease with mechanical low back pain and IVDS is rated at 40 percent on and after August 11, 2017. The Veteran's sciatic nerve involvement of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD, previously evaluated as PTSD with alcohol use disorder (in full remission), was denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to October 16, 2019. The claim for TDIU prior to October 16, 2019 is also denied.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 26, 2010 for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to outstanding private treatment records and additional information regarding his employment history.

Your SMC based on housebound status is dismissed as your claim has been granted with an effective date of September 19, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for pancreatitis as secondary to PTSD and denied the claim of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied. For the period prior to August 17, 2017, a noncompensable rating is granted for bilateral hearing loss. For the period from August 17, 2017 through the present, a 10 percent rating is granted for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 30 percent prior to October 3, 2019 and 50 percent from that date forward.

The Veteran's service connection for a bilateral eye condition is granted. However, the Veteran's PTSD claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the spine and remanded his claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, a left arm disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, anxiety and depression).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development regarding the alleged stressor event in service that may have led to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. The issues include PTSD, left knee condition, and unemployability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be related to his service due to personal assaults during active duty. The claim is granted.