PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial PTSD rating was restored to 70 percent, effective November 30, 2012. The Board found the reduction of his PTSD rating from 50 percent to 10 percent was not proper and restored it.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records from February 2016 to November 2019. The Veteran's VA medical records need to be obtained and associated with the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as it is found to have been incurred during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, but the TDIU issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's TBI residuals and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are related to secondary service connection based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from July 16, 2010 to July 17, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities. However, he was denied a TDIU for the period after July 18, 2017 as he successfully completed Vocational Rehabilitation and obtained full-time employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating higher than this. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100% prior to September 17, 2020 and he is now receiving SMC at the housebound rate.,The issue of TDIU has been dismissed as his PTSD rating and SMC status have already met the criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's employability prior to May 7, 2013, and completing a formal TDIU application form.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected varicose veins and hemorrhoids were granted. The claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis and PTSD was denied.

The Board has found that there are issues regarding direct service connection and aggravation for PTSD, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder. These issues have been remanded to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right and left knee disabilities, and pes planus. The Veteran's attorney requested a revision of the May 2009 rating decision based on CUE in not considering entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The remand also includes readjudication of the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.