PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient verification of a service stressor. The Veteran's claims for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions are pending further clarification from a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including MDD, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and PTSD. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and an unspecified anxiety disorder was granted.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and GERD were also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and SMC due to the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound is remanded due to uncertainty in attributing symptoms to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection prior to November 30, 2016 were denied as there was no indication of a claim being filed before that date.,The Veteran's SMC for loss of use of creative organ is based on his diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction. As such, the earlier effective date claim for this benefit was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 30 percent prior to December 16, 2014. Ratings for PTSD in excess of 50 percent from December 16, 2014 to September 19, 2019, and in excess of 70 percent from September 19, 2019 are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep disorder, its relationship to service, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of his death is denied. The DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 also failed due to lack of total rating for at least 10 years prior to death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder, due to incomplete/inaccurate factual premises regarding the Veteran's claimed active duty service in Vietnam. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is remanded for further development, including a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD was dismissed as the Veteran, through his authorized representative, requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and an adjustment disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be related to service or aggravated by service, and her psychiatric disorders were found to have other origins.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD with polysubstance abuse in partial remission have not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms do not warrant total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric condition and for increased disability ratings for his right knee, instability of the right knee, and left ankle conditions. The decision also remanded the issues regarding the Veteran's right knee and left ankle conditions for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including the recoupment of severance pay, a TBI rating increase, TDIU determination, and an effective date for PTSD service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete information about the Veteran's service in Iraq, which may affect his claims for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety. The Veteran's pulmonary disability is considered to have pre-existed service, and there was no clear and unmistakable aggravation during service. For the acquired psychiatric disability, the claim cannot be substantiated as the stressor has not been verified.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have a current disability of an acquired psychiatric disorder subject to service connection at any time proximate to his February 2007 claim.