PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current respiratory disability.

The Board has decided that the case needs to be returned for further evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, including distinguishing its symptoms from other diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent for the period from November 1, 2017 to April 2, 2019. Prior to this time, he received a temporary 100 percent rating due to hospitalization and then a 50 percent rating prior to that.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. Effective dates earlier than January 30, 2014, were denied for the grants of service connection for PTSD with sleep disturbances and diabetes mellitus, type II with hypertension. The appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, PFB, migraines, ED, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has already granted service connection for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU effective August 8, 2014. The appeal is dismissed as there is no case or controversy regarding the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an initial compensable rating prior to July 6, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, for tinea versicolor. The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to MST during her active service. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's spouse, M., was added as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award effective December 11, 2012. The decision grants an earlier effective date of July 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for extreme joint pain, COPD, rectal impact surgery, skin disorder (including malignant melanomas), and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for Parkinson's Disease is also remanded as it requires an addendum opinion from the March 2013 VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right arm disability and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 21, 2015. The evidence did not support a finding that current disabilities were related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, his claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since March 5, 2009. The rating is granted for the period from March 5, 2009 to August 27, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from December 3, 2015 to December 28, 2016. The rating of 70 percent was granted for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and disfiguring facial scar have prevented him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder, prostate cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction associated with prostate cancer, and scar associated with prostate cancer, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as service connected due to in-service combat exposure.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted with an effective date of July 31, 2014. The Board found that the March 2015 rating decision did not become final due to the Veteran not being properly advised of his right to appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include PTSD, teeth grinding, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck, shoulder, and knee disorders, as well as a skin disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, are causing his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.