PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for PTSD (claimed as mental health condition) is denied an effective date prior to December 12, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II Diabetes Mellitus with cataracts is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a separate and compensable evaluation for bilateral cataracts associated with Type II Diabetes Mellitus with cataracts is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve associated with Type II Diabetes Mellitus with cataracts is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve associated with Type II Diabetes Mellitus with cataracts is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for meralgia paresthica of the right thigh is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease bilateral sacroiliac joints with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and back spasms is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, ankle ligament sprain, knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and PTSD, were denied. The decision did not address service connection issues.

The Veteran's left knee condition, including dislocation with frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion, is rated at 20 percent effective July 10, 2014. The right knee disability secondary to the service-connected left hip disability has been referred for further review. Effective October 2, 2017, SMC was granted based on the Veteran's combined rating of 60 percent due to his additional disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and sleep apnea due to additional development being required. The SMP claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to April 9, 2019, for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU prior to February 5, 2016, were both denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no new or material evidence was submitted to reopen service connection for PTSD. The issues of rating for various disabilities were also dismissed.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error and remands the case for further action, including verifying the Veteran's stressor by contacting historical records of the 80th Fighter Squadron stationed in South Korea. A VA examination is also required if any records confirm psychiatric symptoms or the stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new evidence submitted after a previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on being housebound is denied because the evidence does not show he is permanently confined to his dwelling due to service-connected disabilities, and his TDIU rating was not based on a single disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of September 21, 2016. An effective date of September 21, 2016 is granted for the award of a TDIU.

The appeal for a higher rating of PTSD from August 3, 2006 through November 15, 2009 is dismissed. The earlier effective date claim for DEA eligibility is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to secure certain VA treatment records and National Guard service treatment records. The appellant's testimony at the July 2020 hearing is also included in the new evidentiary record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD as due to MST, is remanded. The Board finds that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with depression and anxiety and secondary alcohol use disorder, is granted a 100 percent rating.,TDIU was granted effective August 16, 2016. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to this date.,Eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 was denied prior to August 16, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines from May 17, 2017 to May 15, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and will consider service connection for any current acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, as his non-service-connected conditions limit his ability to live independently.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to the AOJ's failure to consider PTSD as a service-connected disability, which could have affected their eligibility for TDIU. The Board is now required to refer this matter for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).