PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 23, 2018 for service connection of TBI with headaches and PTSD, Parkinson's disease with sleep disturbance. The appeals were based on new evidence that reopened these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints and bilateral knee disability have also been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher PTSD rating and for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The Veteran is currently employed, but details of his employment are relevant to substantiating both claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for her acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol disorder is rated at 50% prior to October 28, 2019, and 70% thereafter. The left hip internal derangement with degenerative joint disease is rated at 20% prior to October 28, 2019, and 0% thereafter.,The Veteran's back condition has been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The rating for right finger disorder was granted at 10 percent from July 27, 2005 to April 30, 2012 and at a higher level of disability (in excess of 20%) thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for TDIU due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's application for Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits was denied because her initial application was received after the 15-year delimiting date, and she did not meet the eligibility criteria due to a combination of her own disabilities and family obligations.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is denied.,A 20 percent rating for right ankle strain with tenosynovitis is granted.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a PTSD diagnosis and incomplete stressor verification. The Veteran's claim will be further developed with additional medical records and stressor verification.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further action due to a request for substitution by the Veteran's surviving common law spouse. The issues will be reconsidered after determining if the surviving spouse meets eligibility requirements.

The Veteran's 70% rating for PTSD was restored as of July 1, 2018 due to the improper reduction without showing overall improvement.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as there is no factually ascertainable date before January 7, 2016 that indicates the service-connected PTSD prevented the Veteran from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and PTSD, but remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorder due to lack of evidence.