PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's current severity of PTSD and TDIU. The effective date for TDIU remains July 27, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent since June 21, 2017. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for PTSD, incomplete paralysis nerve distribution of the hand due to residuals of a gunshot wound to the right upper arm (right hand GSW), and residuals of a gunshot wound to the right chest Muscle Group II (right chest GSW) were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right triceps Muscle Group VI (right arm GSW) was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for ringworm, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and his service. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records from 2002 onwards, and a new VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder).

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder were granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent prior to September 28, 2018. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether a higher rating was warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to military sexual trauma (MST) and found that all elements of service connection are met.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 30 percent rating from January 20, 2007 and a 50 percent rating from March 7, 2011. A rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorder, PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has remanded the cases of coronary artery disease, skin disorder, right ear hearing loss, headaches secondary to PTSD, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 1, 2013 for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities and TDIU status.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for relying on the April 2014 VA examination report, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew from appeal during an October 2019 Board hearing. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for migraines, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and residuals of traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which contradicts an April 2017 VA opinion. The Veteran's sleep apnea may be related or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection of PTSD, as his current diagnosis is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle tendinitis were dismissed. The claim for high cholesterol was denied, but the Veteran received an increased rating of 70% for PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes was granted service connection and an initial rating of 20 percent for a right ring finger scar. The Veteran's PTSD with depression and TBI is granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to April 8, 2015, but denied any increase in rating after that date.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for rhinitis and service connection for PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.