PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressor. The Veteran is also scheduled for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and PTSD, which prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

An initial 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted effective January 21, 2010. A TDIU is also granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to unresolved questions regarding herbicide agent exposure in Okinawa, Japan. The Veteran's authorized representative requested additional information from relevant DoD sources.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, and hepatitis C due to outstanding private treatment records not yet obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective July 27, 2020. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of gastroparesis, diverticulosis, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to an increased evaluation for her chronic constipation and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar degenerative disc disease (back disability) was denied. The claim for TDIU from the effective date of August 4, 2009, was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development, including a need for a new VA examination to identify and discuss the presence or absence of PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder.

For the period prior to January 27, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,From January 27, 2015, the Veteran has a combined disability rating of 100 percent due to his service-connected conditions. The issue of TDIU is moot as he already meets the criteria for a 100% schedular rating.

The claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's stressors occurred during his service in Vietnam. The preponderance of evidence supports this decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted in June 2020, effective September 1, 2014. The full benefit sought has been allowed and the appeal is dismissed as there remains no case or controversy over which the Board may exercise jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a TDIU prior to August 8, 2017 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70% disability rating since January 9, 2019. A TDIU was also granted from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is currently evaluated at a 70 percent rating for the period prior to October 4, 2018. For the period from October 4, 2018, an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 18, 2010. The Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and a back disorder related to exposure at Camp Lejeune are being remanded due to the need for additional development.