PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD from March 10, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the retrieval of Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating or TDIU is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death or disability rating was not totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in October 2018 were inadequate and remanded for further examination. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, and sleep impairment, have not been adequately addressed by the VA examiners.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a lumbar spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been productive of total occupational and social impairment for the period between July 31, 2013, and July 12, 2019 (exclusive of the temporary total evaluation assigned from May 20, 2014, to August 1, 2014).

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD and remanded both PTSD and Erectile Dysfunction claims. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated after attempting to verify his in-service stressor.

The reduction in the disability rating for a psychiatric disorder, characterized as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), from 70 percent to 50 percent as of May 1, 2018, was not proper and is void ab initio.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to his military service, specifically being on the USS Okinawa during a hostage rescue attempt where the ship was in danger of being hit by missiles. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to September 23, 2011. From September 23, 2011, to December 30, 2014, the Veteran received a 50% rating for his PTSD.

The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for post branchial cyst residuals and remanded the issue of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, dental disability (loss of teeth), bilateral foot fungal disorder, hypercholesterolemia, skin cancer of the right cheek, psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD), right thumb disability, left knee instability and painful motion (status post ACL repair), and right hip bursitis with strain have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to April 29, 2013 and from June 1, 2013. The case was remanded for further development regarding service connection for a heart disorder, increased evaluation for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has expanded the issue on appeal to include all acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's PTSD is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology. Other acquired psychiatric disorders are also remanded for evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, type II, PTSD, and an anxiety disorder due to insufficient medical evidence. Additional information is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of diabetes and whether his PTSD and anxiety disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, sexual abuse of adult, depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for fatigue, neck disability, dizziness/vertigo, headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea, and acid reflux. The appeals are not about service connection under the presumptive provisions for Gulf War illness.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and/or depression. The evaluation of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain is also being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.