PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the last statement of the case and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability, and determining whether there are any neurological impairments or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol use disorder have been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of an earlier informal or formal claim and that the VA treatment records did not constitute such claims. The Board also found that there was no factually ascertainable worsening of PTSD symptoms prior to July 26, 2013.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or residuals from service-connected conditions. The Veteran's prostate cancer was in remission at the time of service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's PTSD, as well as an assessment of his TDIU claim. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 23, 1993 for the award of service connection for PTSD and related conditions. The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the April and September 1994 rating decisions is dismissed as moot due to the grant of earlier effective date. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and Ischemic Heart Disease, effective October 24, 2012 and April 5, 2013 respectively.,TDIU was granted from October 24, 2012 to May 30, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding insufficient evidence to link his current condition to his time in service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU have been withdrawn. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 25, 2006 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The appeal regarding a higher initial rating for PTSD is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent since October 7, 2019. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met and granted TDIU from September 10, 2012 to January 30, 2020.

The Veteran has agreed to the current disability ratings for his PTSD and diabetes mellitus, so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from April 2, 2009 to May 22, 2013.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, OSA, jaw disability, and PTSD with acquired psychiatric disorders to include major depressive disorder and OCD have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for his PTSD since February 5, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a TDIU rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, authorization for SSA records, and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and a jaw disorder due to incomplete medical records and inadequate previous examinations. The VA is required to obtain relevant treatment records from various sources, including VistA system records and private facilities like 'Concept House'. New adequate VA examinations are needed to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders and jaw disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to March 31, 2020 and 100 percent since that date.,Service connection for GERD and TDIU are also remanded.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's application for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at a higher level than 60% was denied because his service did not meet the criteria for a full 100% benefit level, despite having more than 12 months but less than 18 months of qualifying active duty. The Veteran had periods of IADT and other training that were excluded from the calculation, and he was not discharged due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD with depression), to include anxiety, is granted. The initial rating for service-connected tinnitus remains at 10 percent. Other claims are remanded.