PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with other psychiatric disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The effective date of this decision is not specified as it meets the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 8, 2012, based on his service-connected PTSD and malaria. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular requirements for a TDIU from November 8, 2011, to November 8, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of PTSD, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and vision issues secondary to hypertension. The appeals are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was denied. The restoration of the 10 percent rating for tension headaches from October 31, 2018 is granted.,For the period from September 19, 2018 to December 11, 2019, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability was denied due to lack of evidence of disease or injury in service. The claim is not reopened as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder cannot be established as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, which requires a specific stressor event. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed but there is no link to service or an in-service stressor.,The Veteran's skin disability (presumably seborrheic dermatitis and actinic keratoses) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral shoulder disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not present in service and there is no link between diabetes and service, including exposure to herbicide agents.,The bilateral eye disability (presumably macular disease, cataracts, and presbyopia) is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. There is no evidence of a current disability or that it is related to service.,There is no evidence of a bilateral knee disability at any time during the pendency of the claim. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has a current disability or that it is related to service.,The lumbosacral strain was not present in service and there is no link between the condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes and PTSD due to potential missing records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Vascular Dementia have been granted, but the claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected conditions is remanded as the Veteran did not attend his VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and schizophrenia has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a diagnosis in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective August 18, 1998. This decision grants an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70%, but no higher, and the effective date for this grant is April 2, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse in remission with nocturnal bruxism are rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unclear notice of a Decision Review Officer hearing and the need for an updated medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities' impact on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that an increased rating to a higher level of disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and secondary service connection due to a service-connected disability (erectile dysfunction).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for ulcerative colitis and a higher rating for PTSD, so the claims are dismissed.