PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, migraines, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 9, 2015 for PTSD is still pending.

The Board has decided that a remand is required due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits and for a higher rating for PTSD. The appeal for DEA benefits was dismissed as moot, while the claim for a higher PTSD rating was denied due to lack of factual ascertainability prior to May 24, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with MDD was denied. The Board found that July 10, 2013 is the earliest effective date allowed for the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 9, 2018 for the Veteran's service connection for PTSD. The decision finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran had PTSD as of August 9, 2018 and grants the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent. The issue of an increased rating for lumbar scoliosis with strain is being remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and non-small cell carcinoma, do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to March 18, 2011 as his appeal was not timely filed and the decision is final.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD is granted, but his TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an updated medical opinion and consideration under extraschedular criteria.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) due to the lack of a current diagnosis related to verified in-service stressors, as per DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 7, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also still seeking a rating in excess of 20 percent for her left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left foot metatarsalgia and an initial compensable rating for left foot scars are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between current psychiatric conditions and active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for PTSD, and a compensable rating for his right ring finger disability. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was remanded.