PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate VA opinions and lack of an in-person examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for bilateral ankle condition and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to insufficient explanations in the prior decision. The claim for OSA is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in-service, and thus could not establish service connection. For SMC, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria due to his TDIU status.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible level of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and cognitive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to October 15, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating at any point.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that his current disability is related to his military service in Korea and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder due to new evidence received after notification of the July 2016 rating decision. However, both conditions were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD conforming to DSM criteria and no link between bipolar disorder and in-service events.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is dismissed as the issue was not properly before the Board.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and there is no causal relationship between his active duty service and his current right ear hearing loss. The PTSD claim was remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence on which to decide the claim.

The Board has remanded three claims: PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right achilles disability. The Veteran contests the effective date of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of his claims for a back disability, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective August 4, 2016, due to his service-connected ventral hernia and PTSD preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's skin disability is granted as service-connected, and his PTSD with depression and degenerative disc disease of the low back are rated at 50% and 40%, respectively. The Veteran’s TDIU claim is denied.,Service connection for a skin disability has been established based on in-service exposure to insect bites.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as there are no medical opinions regarding the etiology or current diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, neck disability, and heart disability have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors while serving with the 8th Engineering Squadron at Ubon Airbase in Thailand. The claim will be re-adjudicated after additional development, including verifying the stressors and confirming or clarifying the diagnosis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD secondary to a military sexual assault, finding that there is sufficient evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressor and linking the current PTSD symptoms to the alleged assault.