PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective prior to November 14, 2019. A higher rating for the period since November 14, 2019, and service connection for a sleep disorder are both remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and failure to schedule a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is now back before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and a higher initial disability rating prior to January 31, 2018 is being remanded due to the mischaracterization of his appeal and omitted analysis in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective dates for service-connected PTSD was denied. The Board found that the current 70% disability rating adequately reflects the severity of her symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has vacated the May 2019 decision denying a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 19, 2013 due to new evidence submitted in June 2019. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sebaceous cyst, tenia versicolor, and PTSD have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, all three conditions were denied as there is no current diagnosis or credible link between each condition and active duty service.

For the period from August 9, 2010 to June 25, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent. For the period since June 26, 2015, a higher rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, as well as chronic sinusitis. Additional development is needed due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s substance abuse disorder, which may be related to his mental health issues, causes or aggravates his prescription pain medication use resulting in his gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received. The claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, verifying in-service stressors, and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and depressive disorder was granted, with a rating of 70 percent. The claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and unavailability of certain records. The claims will be further developed with additional examinations and attempts to obtain missing records.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for asbestosis, PTSD, a back disorder, and calluses/bunions of the left foot. The main reason is that VA did not obtain all the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted on July 16, 2018. The effective date of this increase is set to July 16, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the spine, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period beginning May 24, 2013. The Board also granted Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits effective May 24, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his diagnosed PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the stressor event. The AOJ needs to further investigate and provide a formal finding if it would be futile to search for records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a TDIU, but his claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 30, 2013 for a 50% disability rating for service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms worsened to the point where he experienced short-term memory loss and daily anxiety, which is considered a factual ascertainable increase in severity.