PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 18, 1994. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective November 1, 2017. The Board has now restored the 70% rating based on evidence showing actual improvement in PTSD symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for a psychiatric disability (claimed as dysthymic disorder, NOS and pain disorder) is denied. The claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and unclear opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, however diagnosed.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and infertility due to unresolved issues regarding the in-service sexual assault and the nature of her gynecological infections.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, sleep apnea, and asthma. The claim for obesity is denied as it is not a compensable condition.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU, effective April 18, 2016. The decision is based on the service-connected nature of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he was granted a TDIU effective March 13, 2012. The Board found that the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent were not met due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment. A TDIU from March 13, 2012 is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Coleman Kaserne in Germany related to the Veteran's service. The issues of service connection for a left ankle disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and/or major depressive disorder), and TDIU are all being remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain is granted service connection.,Service connection for PTSD and MDD is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran’s knee, ankle, foot, and kidney conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 13, 2019. From that date forward, the rating remains at 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to active service.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder due to Gulf War exposures is granted, as the Veteran has a qualifying undiagnosed condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence in early remission has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder and entitlement to TDIU are pending.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for thoracic strain and PTSD with TBI residuals, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder anterior superior labral tear. The Veteran was also remanded for a VA examination to assess his left clavicle fracture.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding the service connection of hypertension, as well as its relationship to other conditions like diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied an initial rating in excess of this. The appeal for TDIU prior to July 17, 2019 remains on hold as the Veteran now has a separate 100 percent rating for prostate cancer.