PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation due to blindness in both eyes or loss of use of hands/legs.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 7, 2012 for the award of service connection for PTSD based on newly submitted service department records that confirmed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that new evidence received warrants readjudication of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appellant's right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, left hip, residuals of a head injury, psychiatric disability (PTSD), methylation process dysfunction, combat training fatigue, and aging disabilities are all denied as service connection is not warranted.,The Board has determined that the evidence does not support service connection for any of the claimed conditions. The appellant's claims have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is dismissed as it is a freestanding claim that cannot be brought once the original decision has become final.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to a failure to consider a conceded stressor during the examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition and that any current psychiatric disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of limitation of motion beyond the current assigned level.,PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to November 26, 2019 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's claim is denied as his symptoms do not warrant an increase in ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorder, are not related to her service in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were caused by her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 24, 2014. Service connection for neuropathy of the lower extremities, gastrointestinal disability, and erectile dysfunction are granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records and a VA examination is needed to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal of his claim for an increased rating for PTSD, which was previously evaluated at 30 percent prior to October 24, 2016 and in excess of 50 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened and granted. However, his claims for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy were denied.,Service connection for deep severe pain of the whole body was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether OSA is aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and he has failed to provide relevant information concerning his post-service employment history.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and workers' compensation records. The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is also being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD with depression and for nonservice-connected pension due to inextricably intertwined issues. The claims will be reviewed after further development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 25, 2018. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence shows occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 15, 2010 for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied.,PTSD with alcohol abuse has been granted with a 70% rating.