PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for a back condition, urinary condition, PTSD, and skin condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from February 2, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities limiting him to sedentary, part-time employment with minimal stress and responsibility.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to January 9, 2017, and a 100 percent rating thereafter. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the Veteran's OSA claim.

Effective dates of October 14, 2013 have been granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. An effective date earlier than January 14, 2008 has been denied for persistent depressive disorder.,Secondary service connection for migraines (aggravated by PTSD and tinnitus) and obstructive sleep apnea (aggravated by PTSD) have been granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to October 11, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified and therefore, his diagnosis of PTSD was based on unverified stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is denied. The case is remanded to obtain VA and private treatment records, consider extraschedular considerations, and readjudicate the issues of a higher initial evaluation for PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with TBI, effective November 30, 2015.,His right shoulder arthritis and thoracolumbar spine arthritis were both rated at the maximum available under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective May 3, 2015. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI was granted a combined rating of 40 percent prior to October 6, 2015. From October 6, 2015 to July 02, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD and TBI were separately rated at 70 percent and 10 percent respectively. The Board found that the symptoms of both conditions overlapped and could not be clearly separated for rating purposes.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for sleep apnea. The appeals for service connection for hypertension and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor while serving on active duty in Honduras.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, PTSD, and left knee/hip conditions due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's records from New Jersey VA medical centers dated around 1969 are being sought.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability has prevented her from securing and following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors, which are necessary for service connection. The Veteran is not subject to any of the relaxed presumptions relating to PTSD stressor confirmation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for neuropathy, skin disorder, and PTSD due to Agent Orange exposure and/or jungle rot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding alleged abusive behavior during basic training and a need for a VA mental disorders/initial PTSD examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 18, 2017 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active service.