PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 70% disability rating effective May 27, 2015. The effective date of this grant is March 8, 2002.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted service connection. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 29, 2019, and the initial 10 percent rating from March 20, 2019, were also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 9, 2016 due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disability and PTSD is granted. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the service connection of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to his failure to report for a scheduled examination and lack of verification of claimed stressors. The Veteran must be provided with proper notice regarding claims for service connection for PTSD, including personal assault, and requested to provide information about witnesses to an in-service assault.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a tremor disorder has also been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits are remanded due to concerns about his current employment and the need for a new assessment considering all evidence of record, including his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of dysthymia and its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral foot disability. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's GAD has been granted an initial rating of 50% from October 29, 2010 to July 12, 2017 and a higher rating of not more than 70% since July 13, 2017. The effective date for service connection remains November 26, 2004.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD with alcohol abuse, tinnitus, a back condition, a skin condition, and COPD due to pending NODs.

The Veteran's PTSD and other service-connected disabilities were evaluated, with the majority of issues being denied. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 9, 2013, and increased to 50 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be permanently and totally disabling, meeting the criteria for a permanent and total rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic neuropathic pain, right groin, was denied. The Board found that the current disability picture did not warrant an increased rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for a back disability. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder due to incomplete development of records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus remains at a maximum schedular rating of 10%. A 20% rating for diabetes mellitus type II is granted from July 7, 2010 to November 21, 2011; and a 40% rating is granted from November 21, 2011. The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and bilateral knee disability are remanded. An increased rating for PTSD and cataracts associated with diabetes mellitus type II is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, migraines, and a left knee disability have been dismissed. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be decided. This includes obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating and denied an increased rating for PTSD. For TDIU claim, the Board noted that the Veteran was able to maintain stability with medications and had multiple jobs, including running two businesses. Therefore, he did not meet the criteria for TDIU.