PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, effective throughout the period on appeal. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities other than PTSD render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and MDD. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has previously found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities may warrant SMC for aid and attendance. However, a remand is required to determine if he meets the criteria for such benefits due to his need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating from January 28, 2014 to June 1, 2016. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Gastroesophageal Disease (GERD).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there was no direct causation between the conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major depressive disorder. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70% and he has been granted a TDIU rating, which also qualifies him for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot condition and increased rating for PTSD prior to July 11, 2013 and from September 1, 2013 have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the current conditions were related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or establish their relationship to active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence that needs to be reviewed and considered by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased PTSD rating and TDIU, as well as a claim for service connection for drug or alcohol dependency secondary to his PTSD. The issues are being referred back to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim is related to his time in Vietnam, but there are issues with verifying his in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives, including obtaining a VA examination and completing a TDIU application.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence and failure to provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's reported in-service stressors need to be verified, and he needs to undergo a VA examination for his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to July 30, 2018. The Board found that his symptoms and resulting impairment more closely approximated the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in a situation where he was virtually isolated from the community, leading to a 100% disability evaluation for PTSD. The appeal of his TDIU is dismissed as his PTSD rating now covers all relevant periods.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, and her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.