PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the legacy appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran's VA Form 10182 was received within the required timeframe to opt into the AMA review system, thus these issues are no longer under consideration in the legacy system.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD prior to May 18, 2012 is granted. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, which meets the criteria for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Veteran's PTSD remains rated at 50 percent, but the Board has remanded his claims for TBI residuals and related issues due to new evidence. The right knee disorder claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of a stressor related to the Veteran's in-service death. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s in-service stressor and contact them if more details are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence indicating that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

An initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD with cannabis use disorder is granted, and the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than a sleep disorder and for TDIU, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims. The Board concluded that the Veteran’s current anxiety disorder is less likely related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and/or sleeping disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors and incomplete VA examinations. The claim will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no valid diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV or DSM-5 by any qualified medical examiner. The Board found that the gap between his last date of active service and initial evaluation of possible mental disorders was probative of a lack of nexus to active service.

The claim of service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The claim for PTSD is denied, but the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss remains at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the pending determination of a disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% during the period on appeal, but no higher. The claim for service connection for hypertension related to Agent Orange exposure is remanded due to lack of a VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with symptoms of depression and other acquired psychiatric disabilities. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and diabetic glaucoma due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. Additional development is required including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an increased rating for PTSD as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, has been rated at 70 percent since November 19, 2002. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant total occupational and social impairment.