PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board is remanding these issues for further development.,The Veteran's heart condition claim remains unresolved as there is no current diagnosis provided by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of flexion to 30 degrees in either knee or deficiencies in most areas due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for tension/cluster headaches is granted. The claims of service connection for incontinence, prolapsed bladder, and vertigo are denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol Abuse Disorder. The Veteran's symptoms need further evaluation by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 13, 2014. As of October 18, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful activity prior to November 15, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective February 21, 2012. The Board also granted an effective date of February 21, 2012 for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and remanded the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues being inextricably intertwined with other claims, specifically the claim for service connection for PTSD. The VR&E services claim will be readjudicated after resolving the PTSD issue.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, PTSD, a heart disability, and hypertension due to Agent Orange exposure. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) as the Veteran's evidence was not properly considered in the previous decision.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's hypertension disability rating is restored to 40 percent effective September 1, 2019.,Prior to March 23, 2017, the Veteran's initial disability rating for hypertension was increased to 10 percent. An earlier effective date for service connection for hypertension remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD were not met.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The application to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD with insomnia is granted, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD with insomnia is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a higher rating for PTSD and MDD, beginning October 24, 2014. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing the symptoms of the Veteran's service-connected conditions and their impact on his social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted as the in-service stressor has been established and there is a link between current symptoms and the in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, manic depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, mood disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and antisocial disorder due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are related to service or caused by his service-connected seizure disorder, and to identify all currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and dependency benefits due to lack of evidence supporting prior claims or entitlement.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and remanded the other conditions. The claim for sleep apnea, essential hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and leukoplakia of the penis remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing is granted due to her service-connected disabilities resulting in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring regular and constant use of leg braces.