PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding service connection for hypertension, including due to Agent Orange exposure and secondary to PTSD and/or CAD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety and depression due to a lack of SPRs and inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent prior to May 19, 2015, for her service-connected PTSD is dismissed as moot because she has been granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the entire period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities, as well as her request for an increased rating for a back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted, and he receives an initial rating of 20% for left knee instability. He also receives initial ratings of 10% for right and left foot hallux valgus.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate Recurrent with Anxious Distress and PTSD. The claims for CFS, hair loss, headaches, and skin disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an additional acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of such a condition and concluding that any symptoms are related to his already service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for vitamin D deficiency, visual disability (cataracts), and PTSD due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions and ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. Service connection has been granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent effective April 22, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient discussion of certain psychiatric symptoms and the presence of a nonservice-connected cognitive disorder. A new VA examination is needed to determine which symptoms are attributable to PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as they do not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted since the last decision. The AOJ must review this additional evidence and readjudicate the cases.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 70 percent prior to November 13, 2018. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to that date and also denied the claim for TDIU before June 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the issue of an increased disability rating for PTSD, in excess of 30 percent prior to May 20, 2011 due to insufficient VA medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD symptoms during that period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major depressive disorder, and Alcohol or other substance use disorder as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction rendered him unable to secure substantially gainful employment prior to March 20, 2013. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The issues of service connection for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and vascular kidney disease are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 16, 2019 is denied as he was still employed and able to perform his job duties. The issue of TDIU beginning January 16, 2019 is dismissed because the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% due to asthma with COPD and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.