PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU prior to July 29, 2016. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are rated at 50 percent, but the Board has determined that there is evidence of worsening symptoms warranting a higher rating. The case is remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as documents from the Veteran’s attorney and private counselor.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is not severe enough to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his military service and his current mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 6, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, but rather occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disorder (COPD), acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), cervical spine disorder (neck strain), varicose veins, sleep apnea, and chronic heart disorder (MI). These issues are being remanded for additional VA examination to address conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and TBI residuals was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD or any rating higher than 10 percent for TBI residuals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, cannabis use disorder, and PTSD. The decision found that there was no diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 and that the preponderance of evidence did not support a nexus between the current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 20, 2012 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and also denied his claim regarding CUE in a July 2011 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claims for foot fungus condition and colon polyps. The claim for residuals of a right rectus lipoma removal was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for GERD is pending as it requires reopening.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a back disability and denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a grant of financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, as they do not result in loss or use of hands or feet.

The Veteran's 70% evaluation for PTSD was restored to effective October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, and the effective date of July 29, 2016 is upheld as per law.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for his increased rating of PTSD and CAD, and he is currently rated at 30% for PTSD.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating from May 29, 2007 to August 25, 2015 due to his service-connected PTSD and Crohn’s disease. The evidence showed that the Veteran's disabilities rendered him incapable of performing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for back pay for a 100% permanent rating is dismissed because the notice of disagreement did not specify which decision or issue he was appealing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD diagnosed as a depressive disorder is granted service connection. Ratings for his right and left knee disorders are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.