PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any other diagnosed psychiatric disability is related to service and to reconcile conflicting evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2014. The decision is pending further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 10, 2019, for fibromyalgia, and total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the March 2009 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in assigning a 10 percent evaluation for status post bunionectomy right toe, effective March 18, 1997. The appeal is denied. The Veteran's PTSD reduction from 100% to 50% was remanded due to procedural issues. A remand is also required for an increased rating for PTSD prior to December 12, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, including an unclear diagnosis from a private psychiatrist and the need for further verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran will be asked to provide more details about his reported events and locations, and a VA psychiatric examination will be arranged.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, is related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. The Board finds that the evidence supports this claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been dismissed due to his death before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, depression, and diabetes.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling, and his hearing loss is granted a 100% rating. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unemployable, as he had a history of employment and continued to engage in volunteer work. The Board found that his disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and has determined that he meets the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence of a link between his in-service stressors and his current PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, with occupational and social impairment resulting in deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of records and inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional relevant records, including those from military service, and seek another opinion from a medical professional.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse was denied. The case is also remanded to schedule an examination for bilateral hearing loss, as the Veteran contends his hearing has worsened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee injury is denied as there is no evidence of a service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial evaluation of 30% effective January 10, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, which was incurred during his active duty in September 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since July 22, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.