PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with panic attacks and depressive disorder with psychotic features and insomnia disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. However, the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of consistent reports of severe symptoms such as frequent panic attacks or hallucinations.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder not otherwise specified is granted a 50% rating from October 2, 2019. The right shoulder rotator cuff repair/traumatic dislocation with residuals remains at a 10% rating. Both issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and musculoskeletal disabilities are found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, which is granted as secondary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as his conditions do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip.

The Board has remanded the VR&E benefits claim due to pending appeals for compensation purposes, including service connection and a disability rating for PTSD. The Veteran's ability to obtain suitable employment is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating from December 23, 2019.,An effective date of July 17, 2013, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has remanded this case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected TBI and PTSD with depression, which have prevented him from working since November 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and neurobehavioral effects, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification on whether service-connected PTSD or prescribed medications have aggravated the Veteran's weight gain, which in turn caused obstructive sleep apnea.

An earlier effective date of May 21, 2012 for the award of a 70% rating for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60% rating for ischemic heart disease is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right upper extremity gunshot wound residuals and PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 8, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with an effective date of November 29, 2011. The issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right foot condition and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is remanded due to incomplete records. The Board requests inpatient psychiatric treatment records from October 2012 from the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depression disorder, general anxiety disorder, stimulant use disorder (in remission), and alcohol use disorder (in remission) is related to his active service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% disability rating for PTSD and granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate effective November 1, 2017. The reduction of the PTSD rating from 100% to 70% was found to be improper due to procedural errors.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to make a fully-informed decision regarding the claims on appeal, including psychiatric disorders and shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's service records indicate she had symptoms of anxiety and depression prior to her enlistment but no clear evidence of pre-existing PTSD. Further examination and medical opinions are required.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective November 18, 2003, which was one year prior to his increased PTSD rating claim. The Board found the evidence supported an award on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% prior to June 24, 2015 and at 70% from that date. The grant of service connection for recurrent diarrhea secondary to PTSD is granted. TDIU is granted since April 3, 2017.,PTSD was characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas; total occupational and social impairment has not been shown.