PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's MDD was rated at 70 percent from October 1, 2018 to February 11, 2019. Prior to this period, the rating for his MDD was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol dependence, insomnia, and hypervigilance. The Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 27, 2010 to December 18, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period. For the other issues, the VA remanded them for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% before January 15, 2020 and increased to 70% from May 31, 2019 to January 15, 2020. The rating of 70% is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as a separate condition from his already service-connected psychiatric disorder is moot due to a prior decision granting service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision (December 1, 2020), and is subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has been employed in various positions including bowling alley mechanic for over two decades.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD and MDD, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on his symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, poor concentration, disturbances of motivation and mood, and impaired impulse control such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to verify in-service stressors. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, need further evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 7, 2018 to April 29, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and cocaine dependence is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, impaired memory and judgment, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene. The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for the entirety of the appeals period.

The Board has granted service connection for low back pain, left knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The right knee condition is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to provide information about private medical records related to his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The Veteran is also entitled to dependency benefits for his spouse. Attorney fees are awarded based on the total past-due benefits awarded in the December 2018 rating decision and January 2019 dependency decision.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for PTSD but has remanded it due to the need to obtain inpatient treatment records from Pensacola Naval Hospital.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of certain symptoms and treatment records, as well as the need for a reevaluation of the Veteran's PTSD with TBI residuals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of his credibility regarding stressor events in service.

The Board has remanded two issues: evaluating the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, for a higher rating; and determining if he is eligible for TDIU due to his service-connected disability. The remand requires obtaining an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the July 2018 examination.