PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for PTSD service connection is denied. The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The case will be reviewed to determine if there is sufficient evidence of a current disability and a link between the claimed stressor in service and any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, and his left and right knee osteoarthritis are both granted service connection. The increased rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for systemic joint disability, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to lack of verification of stressor events.

The Veteran's claims of higher initial disability ratings for PTSD and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity are being remanded due to new evidence received since the October 2018 SOC.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to February 25, 2019. However, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and DDD of the cervical spine, prior to February 25, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and remanded the issue of service connection for Right Shoulder Condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection for PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, left foot disorder, and hemorrhoids is denied. The Board finds that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted for PTSD prior to February 28, 2020, but not from that date forward. Service connection for the lumbar spine and left foot disorders are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. Service connection for hemorrhoids is also remanded as there was no clarification on its onset during service.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA OIG and U.S. Postal Inspection Service records and any additional records related to the September 2014 U.S. District Court judgment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a bilateral eye disorder, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and multiple joint disorders. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations, obtain additional records, clarify the nature of the Veteran's claims, and attempt to corroborate in-service stressors.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for PTSD because the Veteran's reported non-combat stressor was not corroborated and did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board granted effective dates of February 15, 2012 for the grants of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD, and for effective dates earlier than January 3, 2003 for TDIU and DEA benefits. The VA is required to obtain SSA records regarding the Veteran's disability claim.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been consistently present and severe enough to warrant a 70% rating, but the Board has remanded for further examination of his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection due to the Veteran's statements regarding his need for medication.

The Board has granted an initial 100 percent rating for PTSD prior to August 29, 2019 and has also granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied evaluations for PTSD in excess of 50% prior to February 5, 2018 and in excess of 70% beginning February 5, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 5, 2018 was also denied. Aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to his service-connected hypertension and PTSD, as well as if it is aggravated by these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, but no higher.