PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent since April 9, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms warrant this rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse. Additionally, his claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with his PTSD claim and will be deferred at this time.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 50 percent for primary insomnia from July 1, 2013 to May 22, 2015 and a 70 percent rating for PTSD from that date forward.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective March 21, 2014.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for his psychiatric disorder was denied, with a final rating of 70 percent since March 30, 2015.,TDIU for the period prior to March 30, 2015 was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been remanded. The initial rating of 70% for PTSD with depressive disorder prior to January 10, 2019 is granted. However, a higher rating than 70% after that date is denied. A TDIU since March 21, 2016 is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence received since previous denials. The claims are further addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and right leg circulation problems were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, high blood pressure/hypertension, and heart attack/CAD were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated further.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest during active service and were not causally related to his military service.

The claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 50 percent or more for service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and MDD. The case is returned for further development including obtaining additional medical records and providing a new opinion on the etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has restored the 50 percent rating for PTSD, effective March 1, 2015 to December 19, 2019. The issue of whether a higher rating is warranted remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision.,Service connection for CFS is denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnosis or etiology related to service.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination in April 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for verifying stressor events in service and further examination is needed to determine if any psychiatric conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's request to extend the delimiting date for Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, as there was no evidence showing that her physical or mental disability alone prevented her from initiating or completing her chosen program of education prior to September 5, 2013.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and persistent depressive disorder, is related to service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.