PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has found entitlement to a TDIU granted as of May 1, 2007. The claim for TDIU prior to May 1, 2007 is still on appeal and must be considered under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 (b).

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD during the appeal period and insufficient evidence linking any psychiatric disorder to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy) combine to render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced for and against this claim due to significant diabetic-related and psychiatric impairment.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issues include whether the current diagnoses are related to an in-service stressor and whether they are caused or aggravated by service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including spondylitic changes of the lumbar spine. The issues of service connection for PTSD and depression are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the veracity of the claimed stressors.

The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral knee disability, and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been established for degenerative disc disease of the low back, a meniscal tear with degenerative changes in bilateral knees, an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the right knee, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines, PTSD with TBI (also claimed as anxiety), and plantar fasciitis of the right foot due to insufficient evidence.,No effective date earlier than August 7, 2017 is granted for the grants of service connection.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: PTSD, lumbar pain, vision damage with eye fluttering/blurriness, and facial scarring shrapnel injury. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, keratitis, and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ankle sprain claims are being remanded for further development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for a right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and PTSD. The remaining conditions are not addressed in detail as the decision is on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information on the Veteran's ability to function in an occupational environment with respect to his service-connected mental disabilities.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there is no nexus between the Veteran's cause of death and his service-connected conditions. The preponderance of evidence indicates that the Veteran's cause of death was due to end stage liver disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, type II diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective August 2, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on a diagnosed stressor event during active duty.