PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, but diagnosed him with bipolar disorder. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a valid diagnosis based on a corroborated in-service stressor. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, gastrointestinal disability, and sleep disturbance are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent for the period prior to October 28, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU, PTSD rating, SMC at housebound rate, and DEA benefits. The effective date of May 22, 2002 was established for all these awards.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to missing VA treatment records from March 2016 to August 2018 and December 2019 to present. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded concurrently.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death, specifically related to a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, along with other disabilities, has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment since October 1, 2013. Effective September 16, 2016, the Veteran is eligible for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 5, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives and the need for a TDIU opinion. The Veteran is required to complete VA Form 21-8940, and any outstanding treatment records should be secured.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, back disability, and psychiatric disabilities have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 20% for his right ankle disability.

The Board dismissed all the issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, low back condition, upper respiratory infection, bilateral upper extremity paresthesia, bilateral lower extremity paresthesia, fungal infection of the second digit of the right foot, toe-nail infection, left-sided chest pain, pharyngitis, headaches, and other conditions. The decision also dismissed all issues related to nonservice-connected pension and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymia and mild anxiety, as well as his degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder and gunshot wound residuals scar are all remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. The case for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 29, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of rating for right shoulder disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since January 2005. The Board granted a 100% rating for PTSD, effective from the date of the decision. As this resulted in an increased rating to the maximum schedular rating, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied because he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.