PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective August 28, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating prior to this date remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and PTSD have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 29, 2018.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, GAD, and alcohol use disorder, did not result in total social and occupational impairment during the period on appeal. The VA determined that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.

The reduction from a 50% to a 30% rating for PTSD was not proper, and the original 50% rating is restored.,PTSD remains rated at 50%, while the cesarean scar rating is unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST) during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The bilateral eye condition is denied.

The reduction from a 50 percent rating for PTSD to a 10 percent rating was improper and the original 50 percent rating is restored.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder. The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for rhabdomyolysis and bilateral hearing loss have been granted as new evidence has been submitted. The claim of service connection for left foot condition (claimed as bilateral foot condition) is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for PTSD is remanded as there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error, while the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as new and relevant evidence has been received, but the issue of entitlement to a rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the verification of stressors and the need for a VA examination.

Service connection is granted for PTSD. Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The claims for service connection of the bilateral shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for loss of sense of smell is denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service, including exposure to Project SHAD.,The case for service connection for brain tumor is remanded due to insufficient development regarding potential asbestos exposure during service.,Bilateral SNHL claim is also remanded as there was no examination or opinion provided on the etiology of the hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to worsening symptoms of his PTSD warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim of service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The claims for psychiatric, right and left CTS, cervical spine, and low back disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.