PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating is denied. A temporary total disability rating was granted based on inpatient PTSD treatment from September 8, 2014 to October 31, 2014.

Service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, OSA, COPD, GERD, and headaches has been granted.,Effective dates prior to the specified dates have not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations and documentation to determine his eligibility for VR&E services, including a change in the vocational rehabilitation employment goal, additional education in pursuit of an M.D., or other appropriate training.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional records development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and depression, including stressor verification and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board granted a TDIU. The case is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected PTSD preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left patella fracture residuals is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The earlier effective date claim for PTSD is also being remanded as there may be an issue with the validity of the withdrawal of the Veteran's previous claim, and additional evidence needs to be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD, including unspecified anxiety disorder and depression, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, heart disability, and sleep apnea. The new evidence includes VA treatment records that have not been considered yet.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA education benefits for the semester starting on October 31, 2011 and ending on September 10, 2012 is deemed invalid due to sole administrative error. The overpayment for the second term from December 1, 2012 to June 16, 2013 is valid as the Veteran was not legally entitled to these benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatitis and awarded TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 21, 2014. The appellant's chronic fatigue syndrome and PTSD have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and also denied his request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD. The decision is final as it pertains to both issues.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in June 2003, but reopened and granted service connection with a disability rating of 30 percent effective September 26, 2005. The appellant is seeking an earlier effective date.,For the period prior to February 23, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD from September 29, 2016 to September 21, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 2, 2019. The Board found that the earliest evidence in the claims file showing intent to file a new claim was on April 2, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee disability was also denied because the degree of additional limitation due to pain and other factors did not result in limitation of motion more nearly approximating flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to use of custom insoles/sling supports was denied as shoes are not classified as articles of 'clothing' that can be damaged by wear and tear for purposes of a VA clothing allowance.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The shoulder injury and trigger finger are denied, but the case for chronic rhinitis and sinusitis is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple disabilities were denied, and the effective dates assigned are not earlier than February 27, 2017.,VA did not grant an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate as the Veteran did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% prior to February 27, 2017.