PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions in service or related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for SMC at the aid and attendance rate. The case is being remanded to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU before February 2, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety, agoraphobia, and depression resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a right wrist disability and an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and depression due to inadequate examinations and need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU prior to November 24, 2015 is remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has expanded the claim adjudicated to include any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is remanded due to conflicting evidence and insufficient medical information. A new VA mental disorders examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. For the initial rating claim, a VA examination is also needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s immune disorder (evolving lupus).

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; neurological disorders of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities is denied as he is already receiving such a rating.

The Veteran's unspecified trauma-related disorder is granted service connection. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and has remanded the remaining issues including increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability and DM due to herbicide exposure. The remaining issues of service connection for neuropathy, left upper extremity; right upper extremity; and psychiatric disability (PTSD) are remanded.

The Board has found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right hand disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), low back disability, bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating for her service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, but the case is remanded to determine if she should be rated at 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death, as well as the relationship between COPD and pneumonia and his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are related to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection effective September 24, 2013. However, the Board found that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted at any point during the appeal period.,Initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a low back disability. The case is remanded as new evidence received since the April 2011 rating decision supports these claims. A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since December 1, 2012. Effective that date, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder. The issues are intertwined as they both involve his service-connected PTSD.