PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and examination, including obtaining evidence of an in-service personal assault and determining the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for PTSD prior to May 17, 2017 were denied as his symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent. From May 17, 2017 forward, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent and remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's preexisting PTSD was not aggravated during service and thus warranting direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, and the Veteran should be afforded new VA examinations for his PTSD and back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective May 18, 2016. The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and disability ratings for right and left cervical radiculopathy, TDIU, and DEA benefits.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD was incurred during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and TDIU prior to January 29, 2010 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and authorization forms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been granted, with a 50% rating effective January 14, 2020. The claims for service connection for Onychomycosis and Residuals of Trauma to Left Great Toe remain pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his splenectomy and GSW residuals are rated at the maximum allowed. The effective dates for service connection of scars and insomnia disorder are set to August 23, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional evidence and because a decision on one claim could impact another. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and an adjustment disorder) and OSA, secondary to PTSD, are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (which includes PTSD, insomnia, and depression), initial compensable rating for residuals of a left 5th phalanx fracture, service connection for bilateral lower extremity lymphedema, and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Board found that further development is needed in these cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records from May 28, 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to February 4, 2020 was rated at 30 percent and denied a higher rating. Since February 4, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent and also denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine with IVDS is also remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate examination findings and outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher initial rating of 70% or 100%. The disability is currently rated at 50%, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury are granted at a separate 10% evaluation prior to December 14, 2018 and as a total disability evaluation thereafter.