PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are denied as the evidence does not support that these conditions began during service or are related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD at least as likely as not prevents him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, leading to a determination of entitlement to an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for psychiatric disabilities, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, knee disabilities, and a right index finger disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder with TBI, as well as post-concussion headaches, have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for thoracic back strain, right shoulder impingement, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) are remanded.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder and PTSD were found to not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to December 18, 2019 or a higher rating from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and asthma. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and asthma.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 7, 2000 for service connection of polysubstance abuse. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective August 21, 2020. The Board also granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 9, 2009 for the grant of TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids was denied as the severity, frequency, or duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for recurrent right eye corneal abrasions without decreased visual acuity or visual impairment (claimed as vision and secondary retina (scars, atrophy, or irregularities of)) was denied because there were no incapacitating episodes resulting in an evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied, and the claim for TDIU from August 7, 2015, was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to February 9, 2005. A rating of 70 percent was granted for this period, but not higher.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted at a 70% rating from July 19, 2018 to July 19, 2019. Bilateral hearing loss and other conditions were not granted ratings higher than the current ones. The cases of low back disability, left leg disability, and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and ischemic heart disease, as well as his TDIU claim prior to December 11, 2019, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and alcohol dependence have been rated at 70 percent since October 14, 2019. This rating is granted as the disability results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive disorder and cocaine use disorder was received on October 31, 2007. The appeal is denied as there are no earlier effective dates granted.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability was not filed prior to October 31, 2007. The appeal is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination of PTSD, which was not successfully rescheduled. The Veteran's representative believes the August 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) is unfair as he was never successfully rescheduled for the examination.