PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety due to incomplete development of evidence regarding in-service stressors. The Veteran's representative asserts that he did not receive a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors during service. The VA needs to obtain deck logs from the U.S.S. George Washington for the years 2002 and January-July 2004 to verify the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in considerable impairment of social and occupational function, warranting a 50 percent disability rating for the period prior to December 11, 2009.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on a schedular basis from June 21, 2013 due to his service-connected right knee disability and PTSD with depression.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depression from June 8, 2019 is remanded. The issue of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 21, 2013 is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 21, 2013 is referred to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, testicular injury, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and skin disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not impose the need for regular aid and attendance, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective April 1, 2015. The reduction was proper based on the improvement in symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, and her TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for ischemic heart disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, and depression, and a lung disability.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinions are not in compliance with prior remand instructions and requires additional examination to determine if the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for PTSD due to additional evidentiary development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination and verifying the Veteran's reported stressor.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of PTSD was granted, and he is currently receiving a 50% evaluation. The Board also denied his request for an increased evaluation to 70% from July 6, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties due to a lack of current diagnosis. The claim for increased rating for lumbar spine disability was remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased initial rating for PTSD and a TDIU due to PTSD are dismissed because the June 2015 rating decision was implementing a May 2015 Board decision, which is not subject to appeal.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be remanded to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to non-compliance with the Board’s previous directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inability to conduct VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and a medical opinion.