PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 27, 2011 for the 100 percent evaluation of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to a lack of SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a current diagnosis and credible evidence of in-service MST.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 100 percent for the Veteran's service-connected Dissociative Identity Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, PTSD, and MDD, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current disability and no evidence of a disease or injury in service. The VA psychologist concluded that the Veteran does not have PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as his level of impairment due to PTSD does not require such assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and low back condition, as well as his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow osteoarthritis does not result in loss of use of the left hand or arm, and therefore he is ineligible for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,A 50 percent disability rating, the maximum available, has been granted for chronic migraines.

Prior to March 27, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant occupational and social impairment warranting a 70% rating. After March 27, 2019, his PTSD continued to cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, service connection for low back disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (presumptive due to exposure to herbicide agents), and TDIU are all granted. Service connection for an eye condition is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU, finding that his disagreement with the effective date was a freestanding claim and thus denying it as a matter of law.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination, is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of February 9, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran had PTSD throughout the appeal period and thus granted a full grant of benefits.

The Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental incapacity, as determined by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40% rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine is set at March 29, 2019. The Board also granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility.

The Board has remanded the claims of an increased evaluation for service-connected low back disability and for entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety. The Veteran's low back disability is being evaluated again due to inadequate examination findings, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is being evaluated again as it may be related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of PTSD, parasomnia, and sleep apnea due to the January 2019 rating decision being issued before the effective date of VA's modernized review system.