PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is rated at 70 percent, but the claim for a higher rating remains pending.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2011, to December 29, 2011.,Since December 30, 2011, the Veteran has been in receipt of a 100 percent schedular evaluation for service-connected PTSD and is now receiving SMC based on the need for aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted. The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, back disorder, and dermatophytosis of the thighs with bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the toenails due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder onset during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The low back disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from March 2, 2011 to February 10, 2013 due to his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence from a recent VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. His PTSD rating prior to July 1, 2014, is increased to 70 percent. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 28, 2017, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of November 1, 2009 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from the January 2017 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for COPD and a skin condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. He also received a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU rating for service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) alone is granted, and the schedular ratings for CAD are withdrawn. The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and PTSD evaluations are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations of errors in the determination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, are granted as service connection is established based on the current medical diagnosis and the occurrence of a recognized in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded several service connection issues for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be impacted by the resolution of these issues.

The reduction in the rating for coronary artery disease from 100% to 60% was proper. The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unemployable, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a left knee disability as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, is also granted.