PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connectable psychiatric disability, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for vision condition and tinnitus have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw them.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, burn scar of the chin, hepatitis, and initial compensable ratings for burn scars on various body parts are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is dismissed as the appeal does not involve service connection.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted based on in-service back complaints and current diagnosis.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD), and a headache disorder. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disability, and left ankle disability are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, now with posttraumatic stress disorder, was granted a rating of 70 percent prior to October 15, 2015. The Veteran also received TDIU effective September 26, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, PTSD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, neck disability, and both knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 18, 2017 and service connection for right knee disability. The evidence did not show that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities or that his right knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported stressors and lack of verification. The Veteran is presumed to have PTSD as a result of his service, but the specific stressors are not verified. The VA will attempt to verify the stressors and schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 15, 2017 is rated at 70 percent and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on this disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding his claim of entitlement to a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to in-service noise exposure.,PTSD is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence of a verified stressor event. The Veteran's reported incidents could not be corroborated.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for an eye disability due to a lack of sufficient evidence in the record. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that any current eye disability is related to active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The issue of service connection is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for dermatophytosis prior to January 16, 2019 and thereafter is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for further review of the Veteran's service connection claim, including his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially denied in August 2009, but was later reopened and granted effective April 11, 2013. The Board has now granted an earlier effective date of April 9, 2008.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood) have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service causation or continuity of symptomatology.