PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain more recent VA treatment records and determine his current severity of PTSD between November 2015 and November 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to September 11, 2015, most closely approximate the severity levels required for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 14, 2015, for the award of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been received within one year after the denial in December 2013, making the previous decision final. As a result, the earliest effective date for the grant of service connection is January 14, 2015.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain missing documents from the October 2017 DPRIS response and associate them with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The AOJ must also obtain and associate with the claims file all pertinent service records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right hand disability, and left hand disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU, initial PTSD rating prior to December 23, 2019, neck disability service connection, and migraine headaches secondary to a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if an extraschedular TDIU is warranted prior to February 1, 2011.

The Board has denied an increased rating for PTSD and has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, major depressive disorder, shoulder disorders, elbow disorders, wrist disorders, low back disorders, right ankle disorders, and left foot disorders. The appeal is not about service connection at all in some cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD and dysthymia, as well as further examination if necessary. The appeal will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral cataracts and remanded the issues of service connection for low back, knee, shoulder, sleep disorder (secondary to PTSD), and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran meets the requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and PTSD have been granted a combined rating of 60 percent, effective January 1, 2010. This meets the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) under section 1114(s) due to his permanent housebound status caused by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants a disability rating of 70 percent from January 14, 2010. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD from the same date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete examinations and unclear symptomology.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and will require a new VA examination regarding the appellant's mental state at the time of his misconduct. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the character of discharge and insanity claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a combined rating of 100 percent, but none alone render him unemployable. Therefore, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from May 16, 2016. Obstructive sleep apnea is service-connected as secondary to PTSD. TDIU is granted from May 16, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and PTSD have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU. The case is remanded for additional development.