PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are as likely as not attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the November 2014 denial supports a claim for service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to allow the AOJ to readjudicate the claim on its merits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and TDIU have been denied. The case has been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left foot pes planus was reopened, but the initial rating for PTSD remains denied. The TDIU claim is granted effective prior to July 26, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for various service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination for PTSD. The TDIU appeal is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD due to service and therefore, cannot establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including a lack of an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's current symptomatology and whether his psychiatric disorders are related to service. The VA must provide an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability has been granted. The claims for PTSD are based on the Veteran's combat experience; those for shoulder disabilities and low back disability are reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ALS, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder DJD, left shoulder DJD, and bilateral knee DJD due to the need for additional examinations and proper development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD and depression due to additional evidence being added to the record, including VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination as his symptoms have reportedly worsened since the last VA examination in May 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related symptoms, have resulted in a loss of use of one lower extremity (left) due to the need for regular and constant use of assistive devices such as a wheeled walker and electronic wheelchair/scooter. This has led to a permanent and total disability rating, qualifying him for specially adapted housing benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and tinea versicolor have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 50%, effective November 1, 2018. The appeal for the reduction is dismissed as moot due to a subsequent increase in the rating to 70%. The issue of whether the reduction from 100% to 70% was proper remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the neck / cervical spine, anxiety disorder, cephalgia, bilateral hearing loss, heart disability, pulmonary disability, and stroke pathology/_residuals were granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further verification of his periods of active duty and discharge status, as well as to determine if he qualifies for the full benefit level under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The issues of service connection for a lung/breathing disability and hypertension have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted as there is no clear nexus between the diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment have more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment prior to January 11, 2019. A 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 50 percent disability rating effective March 7, 2018. The decision found that the Veteran’s PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, complete the Veteran's VA Form 21-4192 for his previous employers, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.