PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective January 14, 2020. The Board denied higher ratings for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for right foot hallux valgus.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, claimed as secondary to degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine with DDD, has been reopened. The appeal is granted in part and denied in part. Service connection for prostate cancer, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% from June 30, 2016. The decision on Cluster Headaches and TDIU remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for sleep apnea as it is unclear whether PTSD and obesity are contributing factors. The case will be reviewed with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and headaches. The issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to PTSD, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 3, 2011. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined impact of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to September 1, 2020. The claim for a disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD since September 16, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total social impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with anxiety, low back strain with L-5 spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are denied. The claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, left lower extremity disorder, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), sleep disorder, and headaches have been denied. The Board has not yet examined the Veteran regarding these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are more closely approximated by a 70 percent disability rating, as they cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The appeal is granted for an initial 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted a rating of 70 percent from February 10, 2014 to the present. The appeal for PTSD service connection was withdrawn.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his PTSD did not contribute to his suicide.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and a rating of 30% prior to March 12, 2019. From that date onwards, the Veteran received a 70% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.,The Veteran's hypertension has been granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if an increased rating is warranted. The matter of TDIU has also been remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.