PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, seborrheic keratosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied, and the effective date for service connection of PTSD was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating than 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of the Veteran's alleged in-service stressors. The VA will need to verify these stressors and provide further examination if necessary.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU prior to January 25, 2018. Since then, his PTSD symptoms worsened significantly, making it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded two issues: the rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious features and service connection for PTSD. Additional VA medical records need to be obtained before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than March 8, 2016 for a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD with MDD, TDIU, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The case was returned to the Board due to a lack of notice to the Veteran’s representative.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for herpes is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and did not consider in-service treatment records.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was not properly created due to an error in converting the Veteran's record from one payment system to another. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are being remanded due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The rating for right sciatic radiculopathy is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection. The initial disability rating for PTSD has been increased to 70 percent, effective from March 21, 2014. Bilateral hearing loss, headaches, acid reflux, residual scar, right knee disability, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatica (left lower extremity), and sciatica (right lower extremity) have been dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the combined evaluation of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including verification of service in 2007 and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with severe recurrent major depression and alcohol use disorder is being remanded for a higher rating, and his TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the inextricability of the issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,New evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. Therefore, these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's current bilateral elbow disorder is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The claim for reopening is denied.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. This claim remains denied on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, but these claims remain denied on the merits.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to his service, as there is nexus evidence linking it to service. The claim for reopening is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD, TDIU, and SMC at the housebound rate. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran’s right knee has not lacked more than 20 degrees of extension at any time during the appeal period and his lay reports of symptoms are considered along with range-of-motion testing results. Instability of the right knee is rated as 10 percent disabling, but no higher. A separate rating for a meniscal tear is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for eczema of the hands is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed exposure to herbicide agents and in-service stressors. The VA is also required to schedule a new examination or telehealth interview to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.