PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since December 11, 2017. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder and increased ratings for right hip, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for insomnia, claimed as PTSD and recurring nightmares, is restored. The Veteran also receives a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease from September 1, 2017 to December 15, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), and gout are all being reviewed for their potential relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence prior to January 31, 2007 is remanded due to the need for clarification of the severity of his condition. The appeal for TDIU prior to August 30, 2006 is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support her assertions regarding her claimed conditions.,Service connection was denied for Crohn’s disease, joint pains (including right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and finger pain), skin disability (eczema), gastrointestinal disability (chronic diarrhea), abnormal weight loss, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD and adjustment disorder with acute anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability, including chloracne due to exposure to herbicides, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any current diagnosis of chloracne within one year following his last exposure to herbicides in December 1969. Service connection for PTSD was also denied as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for an increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not yet been considered by the RO.

The Board has reopened the issue of whether the Veteran's character of discharge is a bar to compensation benefits and remanded it for further development. The claim for service connection for PTSD for compensation purposes remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee DJD and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for left knee DJD, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under DCs 5260-5262. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, and he has met the schedular requirements since October 2011. However, there was no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities have precluded him from gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for COPD was denied. For PTSD, he received a 70% rating prior to January 27, 2020, but the higher rating of greater than 70% from March 1, 2020, was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of TBI and PTSD have been dismissed. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50 percent prior to October 24, 2014.,Starting from October 24, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating for PTSD from March 29, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD service connection was granted. The ratings for his eye disability, hemorrhoids, and hearing loss were not granted as requested. His claims for IBS and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from January 28, 2014 and restored.,A 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy in the right lower extremity and a 20 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity are granted.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar disability and the entitlement to TDIU prior to April 19, 2006 due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD. The decision is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between her service-connected PTSD and her claimed hypertension.

The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to service connection for various conditions and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or acquiring housing. The main issue is the determination of whether the Veteran's disabilities meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation beyond May 2, 2000.