PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and unaddressed in-service stressors. A new examination is needed to consider all claimed PTSD stressors, including MST and physical assault claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received after his previous denial, and for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent and he has been granted TDIU. The issue of a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as pseudofolliculitis barbae, have not been established.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating for PTSD in excess of 30 percent prior to August 10, 2015 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to April 15, 2014 and 100 percent from April 15, 2014 to February 19, 2020. The issue of TDIU prior to April 15, 2014 is remanded due to unclear employment history.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to the lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide an examination to assess the current severity of his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of a stressor related to the Veteran's claimed PTSD. The appeal will be reconsidered after verifying whether J.R.B., who provided a statement supporting the Veteran's claim, served with him during his deployment in Iraq.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extraschedular rating for his PTSD, finding that the disability picture is adequately described by the current schedular criteria and there was no evidence of frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied as the condition is not related to active service or caused by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and related conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU effective February 6, 2013.

The Board has ordered a new addendum to the February 2020 VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's PTSD aggravated his cardiovascular disease, as requested in its June 2020 remand.

The Veteran's initial and increased evaluations for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Other Specified Trauma-and Stressor-Related Disorder, are denied. The case is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD and TDIU due to insufficient development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which reflects significant impairment in work and social functioning. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

Service connection is granted for osteoarthritis and metatarsalgia of the left foot.,Service connection is also granted for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 23, 2011 for PTSD and a prior effective date for his increased evaluation. The Board found that the earliest effective date was July 23, 2011 for PTSD and denied any earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and PTSD, and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The remand includes obtaining VA or private treatment records, scheduling a new VA compensation examination, and requesting IRS tax returns.