PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and lumbosacral strain have been granted as new evidence has been submitted that tends to prove or disprove the matters at issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The decision on these issues will be reconsidered after further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability and PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability, as it was limited to work that does not require overhead or repetitive movement. For PTSD, the symptoms were considered to be at the level required for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records being considered in the determination of his degree of disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and stimulant use disorder rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to November 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's representative raised a new issue of obesity potentially being an intermediate step between his service-connected PTSD and current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is granted. The claims for bilateral hip and knee disabilities are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service from August 7, 1984 to June 8, 1987.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thrombosis, poor circulation, and edema. The SMC claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other issues.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, left knee replacement, right knee patella fracture, DDD lumbar spine with anteriololisthesis, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and tinnitus.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied as it was not submitted within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's claim was filed on October 18, 2010.,The Veteran’s evaluation for a lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent and needs to be remanded due to insufficient range of motion findings in the previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to insufficient evidence in the record, specifically regarding audiometric testing and SSA disability records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, but the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, as the Board found credible evidence of his in-service stressor and linked it to his current condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from November 14, 2019. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to this date due to the severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressor. Service connection was granted for schizoaffective disorder as it is linked to a pre-existing condition.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was not a bar to VA benefits due to his insanity at the time of offenses, as supported by recent medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent disabling since May 8, 2007. He also received a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 16, 2012 was denied as he had maintained full-time employment and earned more than the poverty threshold during that period.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI)/mental disorder other than PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea, as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.