PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted. The claims for low back disability and CAD are denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and cervical spine disorder due to new and material evidence having been received.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including back, left knee, right knee, gastrointestinal issues, PTSD, and memory loss/Alzheimer's/dementia. The primary reason was the lack of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss evaluation, and TDIU due to unemployability based on his service-connected disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD, adjustment disorder, and depressed mood are being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his psychiatric disability. The left great toe and left foot conditions are also being remanded due to incomplete STRs and lack of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and neurocognitive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. He was granted a 70% disability rating for this condition prior to January 8, 2020.,Service connection for chronic headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to support these claims. Service connection is granted for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders).

The Board denied service connection for an upper respiratory disability, finding no evidence of a current respiratory disability.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with moderate alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his service-connected PTSD and alcohol use disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD). The examiner must address whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to the need for updated evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for his left thumb fracture is also granted. Service connection for bilateral eye disorders is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's left hip disability and granted SMC based on housebound status effective December 1, 2018. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100% disabling since that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to September 6, 2018 and at 70% from September 6, 2018 to August 20, 2019. A rating in excess of 70% for the period after August 20, 2019 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from April 11, 2012 to December 4, 2019.,From December 5, 2019 and onwards, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of this condition and there was no evidence linking it to his military service.,Service connection for PTSD was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD and depression. The decision finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not due to his service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and seeking an opinion from Dr. E.H.

The Veteran's PTSD and dysthymic disorder have not manifested with occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to October 5, 2012, and have not manifested with total occupational and social impairment since October 5, 2012. Therefore, the appeal for increased ratings is denied.