PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease was previously rated as 10 percent and has been severed from service connection. The claim for an increase in this condition is denied due to legal disqualification after severance of service connection.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition and an acquired psychiatric condition due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. TDIU benefits have not been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 15, 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria and were of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his bad conduct discharge, thus removing any statutory or regulatory bar to VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of death and its relation to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete military records and a need for a medical opinion regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of discharge. The appeal is not about service connection but rather the character of the appellant's discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to April 11, 2019 and at 70 percent thereafter. A TDIU due to service-connected PTSD was granted as of September 14, 2019.,PTSD symptoms include occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, liver cancer, colon cancer, stroke residuals, heart disorder, blood clot disorder, vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The remand includes obtaining medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of these conditions in relation to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to issues regarding the severity of PTSD, including auditory and visual hallucinations and suicidal ideation. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to May 22, 2014 is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether OSA is related to or aggravated by service-connected PTSD and mood disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 20, 2019. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to October 21, 2014 and from October 21, 2014 to May 19, 2019. TDIU was granted from May 20, 2019 to October 22, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.,The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the issues of an increased rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is rated at a 70 percent rating prior to August 26, 2019 and thereafter. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD prior to April 9, 2014 and from April 9, 2014 to July 7, 2016 has been denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to PTSD prior to November 19, 2015 has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder, are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and chronic major depression, is granted as service connected due to the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the etiology of his diagnosed bipolar disorder.