PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and psychosis, has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for further evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, due to outstanding medical records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD due to new VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran is asked to provide any private medical records related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his right knee disability impacts physical employment but he can engage in sedentary work with breaks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and for TDIU due to a lack of recent VA examination, as well as potential changes in employment status.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of service and post-service records, including missing VA Lakeside Hospital records and unverified in-service stressors. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are being evaluated again with additional evidence.

Your appeal for service connection of PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is restored to a 100 percent rating, and SMC based on housebound status from January 1, 2019 is granted. The left shoulder disability remains at staged ratings of 10 percent prior to May 1, 2018 and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is granted, and the issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep disorder and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment, leading to a grant of an initial rating of 70 percent from September 30, 2013 to October 22, 2018. The rating was increased to 100 percent effective October 23, 2018.

For the period prior to June 1, 2016, a rating in excess of 10 percent for hepatitis C was denied.,From June 1, 2016 to October 18, 2019, a 20 percent rating for hepatitis C was granted. The rating is subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of VA monetary benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date prior to January 22, 2014, for his service-connected PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood are being remanded. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to January 22, 2014, is also being remanded due to the inextricability between this claim and the PTSD claims.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for hypertension, as well as the claims for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorders are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection has been granted for pseudophakia, cataracts, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.

Your claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed because you did not file a notice of disagreement with the March 2020 rating decision, which granted your claim and assigned a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the RO did not substantially comply with its prior remand directives and these matters must be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 100 percent disability rating since March 7, 2018.,Due to the grant of a 100 percent initial disability rating for PTSD, the claim for TDIU has been rendered moot.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD requires the aid and assistance of another person on a regular basis, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TBI due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressors. The Veteran is required to provide additional information or authorization for any outstanding records, including private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets the criteria set forth in the DSM-5.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, to include depression is granted as secondary to service-connected vertigo. The claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to military sexual trauma (MST) and the TDIU claim are remanded.