PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and as secondary to a liver disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating, effective February 9, 2004. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to July 10, 2008 and increased to 50% thereafter. The current appeal seeks a rating of 70% for PTSD effective from July 10, 2008.,The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms after July 10, 2008 warranted a 70% evaluation due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 1, 2015. The Board found that the level of impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his condition is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings in several cases, including lung fluid, tinnitus, hearing loss, right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, heart disorder, left arm disorder, and TDIU. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, a heart disorder, and a left arm disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with cannabis use disorder is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including examinations and the provision of additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed again to determine if her conditions are related to her military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for NSC pension benefits due to his service-connected PTSD and the need for regular A&A during May to September 2019 was denied because he had excess income. The Board found that the medical evidence did not show a reasonable certainty of continued need for A&A, leading to denial.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Veteran's service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease, and painful sternotomy scar was granted with an effective date of August 20, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms between June 19, 1971 and September 25, 1983. The issues include determining an appropriate increased evaluation for PTSD and establishing an effective date for dependents' educational assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, vertigo, knee instability, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and the appeal for sleep apnea is dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and substance abuse, has been granted a total 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD prior to October 4, 2019, was denied. The appeal regarding the TDIU due to PTSD prior to October 4, 2019, was dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the left knee surgical scar at 10 percent, and he was granted TDIU. The issues of a higher rating for PTSD and a compensable rating for the left knee scar are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DM, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and cataracts have been dismissed. The case is remanded for further evaluations of the service-connected disabilities.