PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's non-psychotic organic brain syndrome with PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of decision. A TDIU rating has also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of PTSD and bilateral hearing loss for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for invasive pituitary adenoma (claimed as brain tumor), with associated shortness of breath and nerve damage is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only, while other claims are remanded.

Service connection for a headache disorder is granted.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder prior to February 27, 2016 is dismissed. The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating due to PTSD alone.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claims for acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability, but remanded these issues due to additional development needed.,The Veteran's hearing loss was not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50% rating prior to October 8, 2019.,A higher rating of 70% for PTSD is denied from October 8, 2019 onward.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected, and he is awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression and bilateral glaucoma are currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for increased ratings is remanded, as are the appeals for service connection of TBI, dizziness/vertigo, diabetes mellitus, prostatic hypertrophy, left shoulder disability, right hand disability (swollen), and left heel spur.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST, has been reopened and granted. The service connection is based on new evidence that relates the current diagnoses to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain missing VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine his current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically diagnosed as PTSD. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection is established because the Veteran experienced a stressful event in service or fear of hostile military activity or terrorist activity.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service and there was credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 16, 2017 for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left upper and right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, BPH, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), HTN, glaucoma, and retinopathy have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Parkinson’s disease has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is granted, and he is also granted TDIU based on the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating of 70 percent for his service-connected psychiatric condition, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of September 30, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding a current acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. Service connection is granted for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease due to exposure to herbicide agents, and an initial rating of 70% for PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for myofascial pain syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerve), cervical spine disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.