PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD prior to March 8, 2017 was manifested by feelings of worthlessness, reduced attention and concentration, and mood disturbances. The Board found that these symptoms are consistent with a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling before September 19, 2013 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as the VA opinion obtained prior to the July 2019 rating decision did not adequately address the Veteran's diagnoses of unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, which are related to his service in Korea.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 30 percent from November 30, 1992 to November 27, 2001. The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective examination and opinion regarding the severity of his PTSD symptoms during this period. Additionally, the TDIU claim must also be remanded due to the current schedular ratings not meeting the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for service connection for a right knee disorder (including arthritis) was denied. The claim for service connection for a left knee disorder (status post left knee replacement) was denied. Service connection for hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, due to the lack of credible supporting evidence that these conditions were incurred during or as a result of military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, and Cognitive Disorder. The VA examiner found no evidence that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD had been manifested by symptoms with reduced reliability and productivity, but not deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the period from September 27, 2016 to March 12, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to credible evidence of a stressor related to the Veteran's military service, and the diagnosis conforms to DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from August 17, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.,The Veteran’s hypertension claim remains remanded due to updated research on herbicide exposure. The GERD secondary to PTSD claim also requires additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective February 1, 2015. His TDIU benefits were also discontinued due to his ability to maintain independent living and work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shin splints has been denied as there is no current diagnosis or treatment for the condition.,Barrett's esophagus and hepatitis C are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service, with a request for an addendum opinion from VA.,PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders are also remanded, requiring an addendum opinion on whether they were incurred in or caused by service.

The claim for service connection for PTSD remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has been able to work with similar symptoms for several years.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU prior to February 17, 2015 due to insufficient reasons or bases provided by the Board. The matters are now remanded for new VA examinations and retrospective opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran’s PTSD and whether it precluded him from securing and maintaining a gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 11, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings prior to this date was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and readjudicating the service connection claims. The appeals are not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act/Agent Orange/Camp Lejeune.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 16, 2018. Therefore, entitlement to TDIU was denied.