PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD, glaucoma, and hypertensive retinopathy due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are currently diagnosed as major neurocognitive disorder, chronic PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeals regarding various disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disorder, adrenal adenoma, hypertension, gout, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the period from November 25, 1998 to August 2, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period from January 1, 2008 to September 25, 2012. The symptoms include depression, anxiety, suspiciousness, and suicidal ideation, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to PTSD is granted, effective September 27, 2000. Additionally, SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective April 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they were consistent with a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand several cases for further development, including obtaining medical records from Froedert Memorial Hospital and clarifying the Veteran's claims regarding sexual harassment allegations and PTSD. The effective dates of certain benefits are also being reconsidered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50% prior to October 7, 2019 and 70% thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent, but no higher, for anxiety disorder and PTSD is granted. The Board also finds that the VA examination regarding hepatitis C did not adequately address the specific remand questions and requires additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral knee condition prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left foot injury, right foot injury, traumatic brain injury, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the criteria. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent rating but did not meet the criteria for a higher 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal does not involve service connection for a psychiatric disability, right inguinal hernia, testicular pain and swelling, or RLE radiculopathy.,The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Asbestosis have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 21, 2011. The issue of TDIU is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS, due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred. The diagnoses of PTSD are not considered probative as they rely on unsubstantiated claims of combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 1, 2012 for the 50 percent rating for PTSD and denied entitlement to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's alcohol use disorder and whether it is related to his service-connected right hand disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities is denied. An initial 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted, effective from November 15, 2017.,The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular evaluation for service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.