PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the numeric evaluation requirements for a TDIU set forth in § 4.16(a). However, his claim is referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the Veteran's primary diagnosis is Opioid Use Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Stimulant Use Disorder. The claim was not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, particularly concerning his urticaria, PTSD with depression, and left lung disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 2, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with rapid cycling bipolar disorder is denied as the earliest possible effective date assigned is June 22, 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide information about any healthcare providers who have treated him and outstanding records need to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another or by reason of being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require such assistance.

The Veteran's PTSD with opiate use disorder and stimulant use disorder in early remission is rated at 70 percent prior to March 2, 2018, and after May 1, 2018. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records from TrustPoint Hospital.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability to include PTSD, finding no current disabilities meeting VA standards or evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD with substance/alcohol abuse is rated at a 70 percent disability rating on and after April 20, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms warrant this higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified bipolar disorder, but denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, leading the Board to grant a TDIU as of April 8, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for major depressive disorder, and TDIU have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, his major depressive disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and he has not demonstrated inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his mental health disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The other conditions (PTSD and depression) are denied as there is no evidence of an in-service event or disease. Bilateral hearing loss is also denied due to lack of a nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and PTSD have been granted, with the effective date being March 13, 2013. The Board found new evidence that supports a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a comprehensive examination to assess her PTSD symptoms and their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examination and the need for clarification of whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since December 20, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms approximate the criteria for a 50 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with bipolar I disorder is granted a total schedular rating of 100 percent prior to July 31, 2019. The appeal for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to the service-connected disability has been rendered moot by the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating.