PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to insufficient evidence of a verified stressor. The case is being sent back for further investigation and verification.

The Board has vacated its decision on the merits of the appeal due to the death of the appellant and dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% and he also receives SMC at the housebound rate. The rating for PTSD has been reduced to 50%, but this reduction is void ab initio due to improper procedures.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective January 31, 2018. The other conditions have not received a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, but he was granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 17, 2008 to February 4, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for gastrointestinal disability (IBS), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will need a VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms and any gastrointestinal disability, including IBS. His claim for service connection of IBS as secondary to PTSD is also remanded.

The appeals seeking service connection and an increased rating for the Veteran's conditions have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that suggests a possible link between MST and her current mental health conditions. The Board also notes that there is no direct evidence linking the hypertension to service, so it remains inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling from January 25, 2011 to September 30, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD in February 2006, concluding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran appealed this decision and argued that his claims should be reconsidered due to recent corroborated stressor events from Vietnam service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he was granted a TDIU from November 7, 2019. The Board also found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to November 7, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected OSA is granted, and his initial rating for diabetes mellitus remains at 10 percent. His PTSD claim results in a grant of service connection but no increased rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are granted as service-connected due to combat stressors, with MDD being secondary to the PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The PTSD is linked to the Veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his service. OSA was found to be related to his deployment in the Middle East, with no direct evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depression, due to the Veteran's inability to attend a VA examination in Seattle, Washington. The Veteran must be provided another opportunity to attend a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The claim for tuberculosis was not reopened, while service connection for low back disability, respiratory disability, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling. The Board denied the request for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent, finding that his disability causes occupational and social impairment but not total impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, a disability manifested by loss of vision in both eyes, and a sexual disorder disability due to additional VA treatment records being associated with the file.