PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD (claimed as PTSD with depression and anxiety) is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating, due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the evidence did not show he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses and the in-service stressor needs further corroboration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. However, his claim for dermatitis/eczema has been remanded.,His PTSD rating remains at 50 percent, with a recommendation for further examination to determine its impact on employment.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other psychiatric disorders, as well as secondary service connection for left chest, back, and arm pain and numbness.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is being remanded as the schedular requirements were not met, and an extraschedular evaluation may be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted a higher rating from January 4, 2020. The right knee disability remains at the 10% level.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 7, 2009 to April 12, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses, and that current psychiatric disorders were not related to any in-service stressful events.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his rating for service-connected left shoulder disability has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal during a Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression and insomnia disorders, as well as secondary service connection for depressive disorder, insomnia disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The issues of service connection for chronic right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depression and PTSD), but the remaining issues related to GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, and gastroenteritis are remanded.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression and PTSD, is also service-connected based on a verified stressor.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of March 8, 2016 for a 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for a right foot disorder is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective June 29, 2015. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities may be related to exposure to herbicide agents during service, but further verification from JSRRC is needed. Service connection will be remanded for this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is denied for ratings in excess of the assigned percentages prior to and after September 25, 2018. The appeal does not involve service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to his service.