PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD rating and service connection for Gulf War illness have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since January 15, 2010. Effective that date, the Veteran is granted a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for osteopenia, PTSD, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding PTSD service connection. The Right Shoulder Disability was granted, while the Left Shoulder Disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) was also denied.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine and PTSD are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The appellant's symptoms have fluctuated, and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a previous denial of service connection for PTSD, and now requires additional evidence and an opinion regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of service connection for a left knee condition and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, claimed as MST are being remanded due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 26, 2008, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted.,The claims for higher initial rating for PTSD and for TDIU and DEA benefits are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the effective date issue.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks, recurrent major depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder is currently rated at 70 percent since March 6, 2017. The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for headaches and PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was denied, but a higher rating of 50 percent was granted for the latter condition prior to September 28, 2018.,For the period from September 28, 2018, onwards, the Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent.

An initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted prior to September 16, 2016.,A rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective May 30, 2018.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and foot conditions. He did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate or based on aid and attendance.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of moderate to severe social and occupational impairment, but not total. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and denied TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, primary open-angle glaucoma, and sleep apnea. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a thyroid disability are also remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA examination, and the Veteran is entitled to a new evaluation for his PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration by the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.