PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, as well as a right knee disability, were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 6, 2012 as he was still employed and capable of performing his job duties.

The Board has decided the claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 22, 2008, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for MDD with PTSD is granted. The Veteran's initial rating for MDD with PTSD is also granted at a 70% level from July 22, 2008, to May 14, 2009, and denied above that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of December 12, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung cancer and PTSD due to Agent Orange exposure, as well as any acquired psychiatric disability. The decision is pending further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's alleged stressors in service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations and his inability to attend due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any skin disability affecting his feet and acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as his need for assistance stems primarily from his non-service-connected cyclical vomiting syndrome.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent effective July 15, 2014. A TDIU was also granted effective that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection to cause of death and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment is not precluded by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD was granted effective from April 7, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran had a psychiatric illness including PTSD and MDD at the time she submitted her application for VA benefits in April 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent evaluation, effective February 10, 2020. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms have remained relatively consistent throughout the appeal period and more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to May 1, 2014. As of May 1, 2014, the Veteran’s psychiatric diagnoses manifested in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety (claimed as PTSD). The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded both issues related to effective dates for TDIU and DEA eligibility due to incomplete referral of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied, but her right knee disability is granted.