PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus, effective December 14, 2015. The evidence shows that the Veteran was unemployable as of this date.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD from March 12, 2010, is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for vision loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to May 26, 2011. From May 26, 2011 to October 24, 2017, his PTSD was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no more. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder has been granted a 100 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from December 19, 2017. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and bipolar disorder. The decision is based on the need for further examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the submitted records were not relevant to the May 2005 denial and thus did not warrant reconsideration.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus and has remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left elbow degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is rated at the maximum allowable under the rating criteria. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for TBI was denied. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 31, 2016, was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for TDIU due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen their PTSD service connection was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined rating did not meet the schedular criteria and that he was capable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability level, effective March 31, 2014. The VA determined that the symptoms of PTSD warrant this rating based on severe symptomatology resulting in occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's in-service diagnosis of character disorder was subject to a superimposed disease or injury during service that resulted in additional disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has granted service connection for hepatitis C due to IV drug use associated with a service-connected PTSD and major depression.

The Veteran's memory impairment is service connected on a secondary basis to her service-connected mental health conditions. The claims for PTSD, carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory condition, right hip condition, and allergic rhinitis are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or related to the Veteran's military service. Hearing loss is granted based on VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) has been granted. The Board found new and material evidence in the form of the Veteran’s testimony and a private treatment record, leading to the reopening of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for nocturia and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service stressors. The decision is based on competent lay evidence.