PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for a VA examination regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as the inextricably intertwined claims for GERD and dizziness. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The RO needs to obtain and associate with the record any documentation pertaining to the Veteran’s application for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) benefits, schedule an examination to determine the nature and severity of his PTSD, and request information regarding his employment status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed because the January 1998 rating decision, which granted service connection and assigned a November 30, 1994 effective date, was final. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate this freestanding claim.

The Board granted higher ratings for several conditions, including PTSD, right hip disability, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, BPH, right elbow disability, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran is now eligible for attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in the August 2014 Board decision.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches, but remanded the claims for increased ratings of PTSD, right knee meniscal tear, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The diagnosis was made on that date.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder injury and psychiatric disability, but has remanded the low back injury claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability was related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hemorrhoids, a fractured right hand, dizziness and falling, and obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD) has been granted. The rating assigned is 20% for the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits and if he was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge under other than honorable conditions. The case will be further developed with a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety. The case is being returned for obtaining additional records related to his employment and education.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia was rated at 30 percent prior to July 25, 2014 and at 70 percent after that date. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,Service connection was not granted for scrotum pain, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle disability, or left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disability and PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including updated VA treatment records and a recent VA examination. The RO is instructed to obtain these records and schedule an appropriate examination before readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a mood disorder, was denied because he failed to appear for a VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from September 29, 2010. Individual Employment (TDIU) and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied as his service-connected PTSD does not cause total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's increased rating for PTSD and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for updated evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than his anxiety disorder, finding that his symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and its relationship to his service-connected low back disability. The VA is instructed to verify the stressors, obtain a medical opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and determine if it is at least as likely as not that the disorder is related to the Veteran’s service or his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for post traumatic arthritis, right wrist was denied as the current rating of 10% is considered the maximum allowed under applicable criteria.,Service connection for PTSD was granted based on credible supporting evidence that the in-service personal assault occurred.