PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 10, 2004. The criteria for TDIU prior to this date have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to PTSD prior to April 1, 2016 is being remanded as the effectiveness of his employment at Attleboro High School needs further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, secondary to his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent rating prior to February 24, 2018 and a 70 percent rating from February 24, 2018 to September 9, 2020. A TDIU was granted for the period prior to September 9, 2020.

The Veteran's right eye condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.,The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including whether it was caused by in-service acoustic trauma.,The Veteran's lung condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including exposure to herbicides, asbestos, or jet fuel fumes during service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition, including exposure to herbicides, asbestos, or jet fuel fumes during service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD is remanded for additional development to verify in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 31, 2012. The appeal for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a nerve disability was granted, and he was awarded service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, headache disability, and TDIU. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear and insufficient private medical opinion regarding PTSD diagnosis. A new VA examination is needed to clarify the diagnosis and determine if it meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's scar, residual of a shrapnel wound of the right leg, is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran’s dermatophytosis of the feet and crural region is denied an increased disability evaluation. The Veteran’s PTSD is granted a 50 percent disability rating. The Veteran’s diabetes mellitus is denied an increased disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge from service is not a statutory or regulatory bar to receiving VA benefits, thus granting his appeal for basic entitlement to VA benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since November 26, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU rating from September 1, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent schedular rating from April 23, 2014.,The appeal for TDIU prior to September 24, 2019 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 30 percent prior to February 21, 2019, and a rating higher than 70 percent thereafter for PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms were found not to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the requirements for a TDIU. Additionally, he is eligible for SMC at the housebound rate due to his combined rating of 60 percent or more from additional service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse disorder is granted an increased rating of 70 percent from December 15, 2015 to September 8, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted effective November 27, 2013. The decision is based on the receipt of new and material evidence (a July 2003 commendation certificate) that existed but had not been considered when the original denial occurred in May 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided with a new VA examination to assess her IBS and PTSD, as well as additional records from the NPRC for mental health treatment. The Veteran is also asked to provide any private psychiatric treatment records she may have.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, resulted in significant occupational and social impairment from June 7, 2011 to June 4, 2016, warranting a 70 percent rating.