PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, requiring a new VA examination to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder due to the need for a VA examination to clarify the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms. The VA needs to obtain a clarifying addendum opinion from a psychiatrist to reconcile the findings in the VA psychiatrist’s in-person examination report and the consultant PsyD’s 'clinical interview' report.

The appeal for hypertension is dismissed. The PTSD claim is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The VA examiners found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety, is rated at 70 percent. The Board has granted special monthly compensation on a statutory housebound basis effective August 31, 2015. Service connection for the bilateral knee condition remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his alcohol abuse, which in turn contributed to his death. The examiner is requested to provide opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee disability render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now remanded for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD. As a result, the appeal regarding VA medical treatment for psychosis or mental illness under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, since June 13, 2014, is dismissed. The issue of a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinea corpora of the scalp and body, since September 5, 2008, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.,VA examinations were inadequate and new VA examinations are required for both knees.

The Board has remanded both issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, as the evidence is insufficient to determine whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance should be remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a medical opinion regarding whether he required regular aid and attendance due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to November 17, 2016 is granted. An evaluation higher than 30 percent from that date and higher than 70 percent after that are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, headaches, malaria, and TBI. The Veteran is also seeking to reopen his claim for arthritis of the right shoulder, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and a bladder condition.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his PTSD rating from 50% to a higher percentage has been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.