PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military noise exposure. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for left ankle and foot disabilities, PTSD, L5-S1 disc rupture, and resection of hemorrhoids. Additional evidence is needed, particularly from VA treatment records and SSA disability compensation records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as secondary to his service-connected status post left inguinal hernia repair disability is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected status post left inguinal hernia repair is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant, as his service-connected disabilities may be related to his medical conditions.

The Veteran's appeals regarding sleep apnea and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II have been dismissed. The appeal regarding PTSD and TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a higher than 30 percent prior to March 30, 2019, and higher than 70 percent as of that date. The appeals for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Sleep Deprivation secondary to Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Enlarged Prostate have been dismissed. Appeals for Service Connection for Myeloproliferative Disorder and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are granted service connection, but PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for further medical evaluation regarding the Veteran's PTSD and its impact on his ability to seek medical care, as well as whether it contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, lung condition, psychiatric disorder, and prostate problems.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis prior to July 31, 2012. The evidence did not support that the Veteran was unemployable at that time due to his service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, or scar of the left chest.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional records, including SSA and Vet Center treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied in January 2007, and the effective date of service connection is set at November 15, 2011. The Veteran's appeal to increase his disability rating from 70% to a higher level has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, along with his bipolar disorder, have led to occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment. The Board has determined that a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted for the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his left foot metatarsal fracture with hallux valgus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse are rated at 70 percent since March 15, 2019. The appeal is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of jurisdiction over the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 29, 2018. The case is now back with the Board for further action.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The Board will consider all relevant evidence, including recent VA examination reports and treatment records.

An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted from November 30, 2012 to August 13, 2019. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.