PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for alcohol use disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability was related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between hypertension and PTSD, and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his PTSD, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and Individual Unemployability (TDIU) claims. The issues include seeking increased ratings for PTSD, service connection for kidney and bladder cancers, and determining if the Veteran can work due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% prior to September 28, 2011. A TDIU was granted effective November 14, 2008.

The Board has granted a 50% disability rating for PTSD prior to August 8, 2019 and denied any increase in rating since that date. The Veteran's symptoms are consistent with the criteria for a 50% rating but not higher.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, respiratory disorder, and hypertension due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA examinations and outstanding medical records are needed. Additionally, a determination on exposure events during service must be made.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD and that it is related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for asthma is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to PTSD, lumbar spine DDD, ED, and respiratory conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear status and authorized military service associated with her employment with the North Dakota National Guard, as well as additional development of psychiatric and cervical spine disorder etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of an infectious disease due to incomplete development of records, including in-service treatment records. The Veteran was not available for examination regarding his stressors and current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue with sending VA Forms 21-4192 for employment information. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains under review.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a non-initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's cervical spine fusion remains rated at a non-initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for PTSD has been dismissed because the RO issued a Statement of the Case, and the Veteran did not appeal it. The Board also remanded his anxiety disorder claim but did not issue a statement of the case on that issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to PTSD, scarring of the left hand and forehead/neck, low back disability, fragment wound to the neck, shell fragment wound to the forehead, and service connection for papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid. The SSOC issued in February 2020 did not include these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, posttraumatic stress disorder, and diabetic retinopathy were denied. The diabetes claim was remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records. The PTSD claim was dismissed as it was not withdrawn properly. The diabetic retinopathy claim resulted in a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder prior to October 28, 2019 is rated at 50 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction. The examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service, particularly given the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.