PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The left knee strain and other service-connected conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened, but the case is remanded to develop and obtain evidence regarding her in-service stressors and to provide a VA examination to determine if she has any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination in September 2019. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records, undergo a new VA examination, and have his cognitive disorder evaluated as potentially related or unrelated to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from March 5, 2013 and thereafter. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and remanded the issue of TDIU prior to September 17, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a right-hand disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or during service.,Service connection for a right ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and MDD) is remanded due to the need for additional opinion regarding both conditions.,Service connection for a right leg disability, left leg disability, back disability, neck disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right heel/foot disability are all remanded as there is insufficient examination reports addressing all relevant medical evidence of record.,reasoning_summary

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left eye cornea scarring has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of incapacitating episodes or worsened visual acuity, and thus no higher rating could be granted.,Service connection for PTSD was also denied as there is no diagnosis in conformity with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for schizoaffective disorder has been reopened, and the Board is remanding his claims for left foot disability, left eardrum injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment. The appeal was also dismissed for the temporary total evaluation of 100 percent based on hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder, are at least as likely as not related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted. The claim for entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability resulting from service-connected disability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the TDIU claim due to conflicting employment information.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, painful scar, residual muscle injury from shell fragment wound, eczema, malaria, healed muscle damage, scar, and hearing loss. The housebound claim is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 17, 2020 and denied for an increased rating. From January 17, 2020 forward, the Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The decision found that there was no evidence of direct service connection for sleep apnea, but also noted that the Veteran’s PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for his PTSD rating and TDIU has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and nonobstructive coronary artery disease, have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since February 1, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30% prior to October 1, 2019 and 50% from that date. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 29, 2011 was also denied.