PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, due to insufficient evidence to verify a claimed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to March 12, 2014 and granted a 100 percent rating from that date. The appeal for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bronchial asthma and COPD, rhinitis, bilateral pes planus, left knee PFPS, and PTSD. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee PFPS have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring all relevant medical evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher evaluation to 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence being required. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for OSA, and a compensable rating for IBS prior to May 18, 2017 due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, PTSD, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and established a link between her in-service treatment and their development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with diabetes mellitus, type II presumed related to exposure to herbicide agents while in service. Hypertension and erectile dysfunction are also granted as presumptive conditions. Service connection is established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder).

The Veteran's right thoracic MG XX injury is rated at 20 percent and the increased rating for PTSD is denied.,The effective dates for both the increased ratings are set to February 2, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for eligibility for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current level of impairment with regard to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD was denied, as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied, as his service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the esophagus, including Barrett’s esophagus, was denied as there is no evidence that he has ever had esophageal cancer.,Service connection for a skin disability (including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis) was also denied because the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or due to in-service sun exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, specific phobia disorder, depressive disorder, and an unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder. The issue of service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury secondary to his service-connected tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent from November 24, 2015, to February 8, 2017, and from April 1, 2017, to April 24, 2018. His claim for a TDIU is dismissed due to the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions of in-service injury or exposure, leading to current disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for supraventricular arrhythmia is granted at a 30% level. The case is remanded due to the need to obtain his complete service personnel file and potentially verify an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD has been withdrawn. The case is remanded to determine if OSA is service-connected due to or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% evaluation prior to April 24, 2014. An effective date earlier than April 24, 2014 for the award of TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, PTSD, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left leg disability, bilateral kidney condition, hypertension, and allergies have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,There are no presumptive service connection criteria met for any of the conditions.