PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other conditions, renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to insufficient medical opinion in the February 2019 VA examination. The case is returned for a new examination and a determination of whether the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnosis is at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, but the claims for anxiety and depression are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent evaluation for PTSD is granted. The issues of increased evaluations for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and radiculitis, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying stressor information.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as nerves) is dismissed as service connection was granted for PTSD with recurrent MDD with anxious distress.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, while the claim for BPH is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The claim for TDIU prior to November 16, 2012 was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The diabetes mellitus rating was increased to 40 percent effective from August 3, 2010.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,Sinusitis is currently rated as noncompensable. Tinnitus has already reached its maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted effective February 4, 2015. The Board found no earlier date to grant the claim as there were no new and material evidence submitted prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that there is no probative medical evidence indicating these conditions were incurred in or are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons for denying an increased disability rating for PTSD and failing to address the frequency and duration of symptoms, including suicidal ideation and panic attacks. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100 percent evaluation, and are more closely approximated by a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD as a result of military sexual trauma is reopened and remanded. The claims for increased ratings for hammer toes of the left foot and right foot are also remanded. Additionally, the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral corns on feet and initial compensable rating for surgical scars of the feet are remanded. Finally, the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues and must be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The new evidence includes VA treatment records that link the Veteran’s current eye disability to hypertension, which is currently on appeal.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran reported symptoms of stress, depression, sleep problems, and irritability during her deployment in Iraq.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a pelvic lesion, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on multiple issues, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The examiner needs to consider lay testimony and other evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability level, effective June 22, 2012. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.