PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder and PTSD. An initial 20 percent rating is granted for cervical strain.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50 percent prior to January 29, 2016. From that date, a higher rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an equipment purchase of an adjustable king or queen size bed and ergonomic chair through the Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) program, finding that such purchases were not necessary to achieve his independent living goal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral tinnitus, right and left knee disabilities, and sleep condition (PTSD-related). The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 18, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from February 3, 2011 to June 23, 2016. The rating is denied as the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,From June 24, 2016 to May 9, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent. The rating is denied due to lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,For the period from May 10, 2019 forward, a higher rating for PTSD could not be granted as it did not meet criteria for a 70 percent or higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective VA assessment of the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to perform the duties associated with his former career as a truck driver.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a left knee disability are remanded due to incomplete service records, unverified in-service stressor, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of service treatment records and a need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, but denied the underlying claim of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied, but his claim for PTSD and the right shoulder disability were granted. The rating for the right shoulder condition is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling VA examinations and notification. The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining casualty reports from an appropriate service department.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a liver disorder, to include hepatitis, is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of January 19, 2006, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted based on its manifestation within one year of separation from service and the Veteran's in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus and service connection for hypertension, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains on appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, eye disorders, ingrown toenails, and skin disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's claim for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 25, 2019 and denied a higher rating.,Since September 25, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and also denied a higher rating.