PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of service connection. The left shoulder DJD and TDIU claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70% or higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded several issues, including an increased rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, service connection for hepatitis B and C, kidney condition, bladder condition, and TDIU. The Veteran's Social Security records are to be obtained, a SOC is needed for the service connection claims, and the Veteran should be provided another opportunity to submit information for his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective February 5, 1996. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms fall between a 50 and 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric evaluation to determine if any current psychiatric disability is etiologically related to active service or any event, disease, or injury during service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective date and higher rating for PTSD, as well as his claims for service connection for a bilateral hand disability, hypertension, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied service connection for a back disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression or bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially denied for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent from May 28, 1996 through January 13, 2009. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from June 22, 2007 to January 13, 2009.

The Board has determined that the VA examination did not substantially comply with the remand instructions and thus, the case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service combat experience and his PTSD diagnosis. The Veteran needs an examination to determine if any eye condition is consistent with a flame thrower injury.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied. The Board also finds that the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current level of disability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted with a 50% rating throughout the entire period on appeal. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and service connection for sleep disorder are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his claimed in-service stressor, and thus service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to unemployment caused by PTSD. The Veteran and his representative are instructed to complete and return VA Form 21-8940, or pursue another opportunity if they have not done so.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for dysthymic disorder with PTSD prior to February 19, 2019. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there was no occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in permanent loss of use of his left foot, and therefore grants eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile with adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and service connection for acid reflux. The Veteran's military personnel records are incomplete and need to be obtained before reaching a decision on the merits of these claims.