PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, is granted. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The primary issues are service connection for PTSD and a TDIU prior to December 6, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions regarding the Veteran's depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's depressive disorder is not service connected, making it impossible to grant secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain additional VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to verify in-service stressors and obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his death.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of fibromyalgia is being remanded due to the need for further development.,The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), and sleep apnea are being remanded as new evidence has been received that may support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, anxiety, and strained relationships with family and friends, have been present throughout the appeal period. He is granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from March 17, 2010, and TDIU due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's mental disorder, specifically PTSD, is rated at 70 percent and a TDIU is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, other than a personality disorder and substance use disorder, that was incurred in or caused by active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to his service-connected conditions, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for her service-connected right long finger injury has been granted at a 10 percent level. The appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD with related sleep impairment is being remanded due to the need for clarification of current occupational and social impairment caused by the condition.

The Veteran's PTSD and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for further development due to incomplete examinations and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD and schizoaffective disorder are related to his in-service stressors while serving in an imminent danger pay area, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, which includes his intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) and hypertension. As a result, the claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 13, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for PTSD prior to this date and that he did not have a permanent and total service-connected disability prior to January 13, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and PTSD, finding that there is no current evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims on appeal, including obtaining SSA and VAMC records, providing addendum opinions regarding HTN, and assessing the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The appeals are REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal of her appeal.