PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to new credible testimony regarding military sexual trauma during service, which was not considered in the May 2015 VA examination. The claims of service connection for PTSD and chronic anxiety are reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records from Dr. M-Q and Dr. G.S., which are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a 70 percent disability rating, effective March 2, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms more closely approximated those of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records from the Los Angeles and Livermore VAMCs.

The Veteran's memory loss is found to be secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder with TBI and major neurocognitive disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for testicular cancer, hands and hips pain (claimed as arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with his military service. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and cervical spine disorder, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's WPW syndrome was remanded due to the need for a more detailed opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Board also remanded cases involving lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, migraines, gastrointestinal disorders (IBS and GERD), and right foot plantar warts.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression due to MST. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from October 22, 2019 to December 14, 2019. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. Service connection for right knee arthritis is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and needs to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 100 percent effective November 25, 2019. The Board has determined that the effective date should be set at November 25, 2018.,Effective November 25, 2018, the Veteran is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded the claims for sleep apnea. The Veteran's stressor is not verified, but his statements regarding symptoms during and since service are considered. A new examination is required to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5. The Board found that there was no in-service stressor corroborated to establish a nexus between the diagnosed conditions and service.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied because the Veteran's first reported symptoms were decades after service, and there was no evidence of noise exposure during service.

The VA properly awarded $13,194.00 in retroactive compensation for the Veteran's combined rating evaluation and marital status. The appeal is denied as there was no error in how the VA calculated the retroactive award.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition and remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and assistance, which is granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) is granted with an effective date of February 29, 2016.