PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective date of July 1, 2020. The conditions were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bipolar I disorder, anxiety disorder with depression, adjustment disorder, and PTSD have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 50 percent is appropriate for the Veteran’s psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an updated employment history from the Veteran and adjudicating the issue of entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining deck logs from his ship and disciplinary records.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD due to procedural issues with earlier effective dates. The Veteran's current service-connected conditions are rated at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from April 9, 2015, 50 percent disabling from July 21, 2015, and 70 percent disabling from September 17, 2019. The Board has ordered a remand for an addendum opinion to determine the retrospective severity of PTSD symptoms and degree of social and occupational impairment during the periods on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, assigning a combined rating of 40 percent from September 22, 2010. The RO then awarded attorney fees based on the past-due benefits.

The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, muscle pain, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, left eye condition, unspecified depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and tension headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps are denied as the evidence does not show a separate and distinct disability from his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 24, 2012. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and PTSD, as well as service connection for a sinus/rhinitis disorder were denied.,No effective date was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, completion of a VA Form 21-8940, and further development of his employment history.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether PTSD caused or aggravated hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's psychiatric history and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for low back condition, left knee condition, right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, and left hip trochanteric pain syndrome. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2007, which is the period under consideration for this appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he also has a 10 percent rating for diabetes mellitus. The Board granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD and awarded TDIU based on the combined ratings.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD and left knee disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to provide specific notice regarding potential entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s), based on Buie v. Shinseki, 24 Vet. App. 242, 251 (2011) and Bradley v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 280, 293 (2008). Additionally, a VA medical opinion is needed to assess the Veteran's occupational impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are rated at 70 percent since October 31, 2018. The rating is granted as the conditions meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.