PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The low back disability remains at 40 percent. GERD and asthma are both denied ratings in excess of the current 10 percent. Sinusitis, left ankle scar, and left heel scar remain at their current 10 percent ratings. Folliculitis barbae is granted a rating prior to April 24, 2018, but not from that date forward. Service connection for right shoulder disability, left foot tendonitis, left flatfoot condition, and right flatfoot condition are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee, back, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, headache disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at a 70 percent rating effective June 16, 2017. Service connection for an unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness and CFS is denied. The claim to reopen the service connection for progressive joint disease (RA) is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, or depression.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 31, 2013. Service connection for neurological disabilities of the right leg, right foot, and left leg are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to be severe enough to warrant a 70% disability rating, effective from June 5, 2017.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to November 6, 2015 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,From November 6, 2015, the Veteran's PTSD met the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, and increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and clarification of certain examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD, finding that the severity of his disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, with the onset likely during his military service and specifically linked to a reported MST incident. The claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are timely, but these issues must be remanded to consider the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Board granted an 80% evaluation for the Veteran's seizure disorder on and after December 8, 2016. The decision also denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma or secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of April 14, 1997 for the assignment of a 30 percent rating for PTSD.,The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of March 8, 2004 for the award of service connection for peripheral edema of the bilateral lower extremities and gout.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is now moot as he has been granted special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma is granted. The claim for service connection for an eye disorder (claimed as eyesight) is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.