PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, PTSD, and memory loss, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions. The Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, a headache condition, hypertension, sinusitis/rhinitis, and COPD have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability is granted. However, the Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as he has not been diagnosed with this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and orthostatic hypotension, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has substantially confined him to his house and prevented him from leaving his house to earn an income, meeting the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's current PTSD with major depressive disorder and secondary alcohol dependence are caused by his in-service motor vehicle accident, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorder and PTSD. Additional development is needed, such as obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 50 percent disabling prior to January 21, 2015. Since then, it has been rated as 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, neck disability, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and dermatitis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective the date after his last day of work.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, allergic rhinitis, anemia with vitamin D deficiency, and other medical issues. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service or any incident in service, and to address the Veteran's allegations of PTSD stemming from an assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent for the entire rating period, effective from July 27, 2009 to June 16, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, including those scanned into the imaging system.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression is currently rated at 70 percent prior to December 20, 2019. The evidence shows symptoms causing occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new opinion on the cause of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD is dismissed because he already has been awarded service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability that encompasses the manifestations of his claimed PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed, and the case is remanded for an increased rating of his psychiatric disability.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for TBI is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his TDIU claim is denied.