PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant requested withdrawal of his claims for service connection for COPD, PTSD, sleep apnea, collapsed right lung, bilateral hearing loss, memory loss, left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, CFS, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided that new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. However, the claim is still pending as it needs further examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and lack of sufficient rationale in previous decisions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, other specified anxiety disorder, is being reviewed for aggravation by his service-connected disabilities. His back disability and left leg neurological disability are also being reviewed for causation or aggravation by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD potentially based on military sexual trauma (MST). The Veteran needs to provide a stressor statement and VA Form 21-0781a. An additional examination is needed to clarify the diagnosis and secure a fully reasoned nexus opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a TDIU as they are not shown to be of such severity that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a total right knee replacement from March 1, 2018 is also granted with a 60 percent evaluation. The claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the current rating (10%) is the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or relation to service, and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to scheduling issues with VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period prior to January 23, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee patellofemoral syndrome and increased rating for PTSD was granted. The effective date for the increased PTSD rating is set at August 13, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the veteran's claimed military service was not verified, and thus there is no legal entitlement to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for left wrist condition, low back disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for coronary artery disease and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) are being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 28, 2014 and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded for further development.,TDIU from February 28, 2014 to March 8, 2015 has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations, and further information about his employment history must be obtained.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from September 1, 2008 to July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 20% since December 5, 2011. Service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examination and consideration of an extraschedular TDIU for the period before October 7, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a higher rating for PTSD and granted TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating, and the issue of TDIU is dismissed as moot due to his already receiving a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.