PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate disorder, kidney disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to service connection issues. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiologies of these conditions.

The claim for service connection for chloracne as due to herbicide exposure is denied. The claims for service connection for a mental condition, including an anxiety disorder and/or PTSD, also claimed as a substance abuse disorder; degenerative arthritis, including a lower back condition; and a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD prior to May 6, 2014 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral elbow disorder (osteoarthritis), and bilateral hand disorder. The effective date is set at February 25, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claim for service connection for an enlarged liver, secondary to diabetes mellitus, and for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded.,The claim for service connection for insomnia, secondary to a psychiatric disorder, is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol dependence due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period, but denied any rating in excess of this.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for OSA, and a temporary total evaluation for a service-connected disability requiring convalescence has been dismissed.,An initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for major depressive disorder with anxious distress (depression) is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 30, 2010. The rating agency found that the Veteran’s symptoms and overall impairment met the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating but did not meet the criteria for a higher 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not proximately due to, aggravated by, or the result of her service-connected PTSD. Her left great toe disability was rated appropriately under the applicable criteria. For PTSD, the Board concluded there was no nexus between the condition and her service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 21, 2008 for the award of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's claim was initially denied in November 2008 but reopened and granted based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The command diaries from his unit were considered to corroborate his stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, renal cell carcinoma, and PTSD have been granted. The claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 19, 2015 was denied due to his combined service-connected disability rating not meeting the schedular percentages. The case is now remanded for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development regarding service connection for ischemic heart disease and TDIU due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. This reflects significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's IBS and tinnitus have been rated at the maximum allowed, but a TDIU has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for examinations, medical opinions, and verification of the Veteran’s PTSD stressors due to the Veteran's no-show at scheduled appointments. The claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and TBI have been dismissed.,PTSD was previously rated at 70% prior to February 11, 2020. Effective from that date, the rating has been increased to 100%.,A claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot as of February 11, 2020.