PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and a skin condition due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressors. The Veteran's service records have been reviewed, but additional research is needed to corroborate his reported in-service events.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to have begun during active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in interpreting a May 2014 VA psychiatric evaluation, and now must consider whether the Veteran had PTSD at any point during the appeal period. If so, they must obtain a retrospective medical opinion to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for lumbar spine, cervical joint, right index finger, and right little finger disabilities have also been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical records and the need for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and reopened the claim. The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder is remanded for readjudication.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, was granted. However, his specific claims for PTSD and MDD were denied.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's TBI residuals are not rated higher than noncompensable (30%),PTSD prior to April 11, 2019 is denied a rating in excess of 30%,PTSD with TBI from April 11, 2019 is granted at 70%

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims will be further developed with examinations by appropriate clinicians.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depressive disorder. The appeal regarding the initial compensable rating prior to April 12, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, for seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate, particularly regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbosacral spine, left knee, right knee, and eye disabilities. The claims for these conditions are therefore remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to new evidence and a potential worsening of symptoms since her last examination.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,From August 19, 2010, to June 9, 2013, and from June 10, 2013, thereafter, the Veteran's PTSD and OCD are rated at 50 percent and 70 percent respectively. The Board finds that these ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision is based on an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new opinion from an appropriately qualified clinician.

The Veteran's eligibility for VA educational assistance benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is granted because she served on active duty and was discharged due to drug abuse, which is service-connected as secondary to her PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 26, 2017. The evidence does not show that his disabilities were severe enough to preclude him from all forms of employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability evaluation since December 17, 2010. He also received an initial TDIU rating.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals before the Board's decision was finalized, thus dismissing all issues on appeal.