PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD, finding no CUE in the November 1993 rating decision and that the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include right knee, left knee, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), skin condition, asthma or respiratory condition, headache condition, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to MST, finding that there is no credible or competent evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that the Veteran's current mental health symptoms are best explained by and fully attributable to her diagnosed borderline personality disorder and severe substance abuse disorders.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of diabetic retinopathy. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings, earlier effective dates, and TDIU are also remanded due to incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from July 20, 2017. The Veteran's TBI claim for an increased rating is denied. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to new evidence suggesting possible worsening of symptoms, and because the Veteran's employment status is unclear. The cases will be returned for further examination and information.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is aggravated by PTSD. The VA needs to provide a more detailed opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is September 17, 2015.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for limitation of flexion and abduction of her left hip are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for rhinitis has been denied as there was no prior claim received before February 23, 2012.,The Veteran's initial rating for rhinitis is also denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma, is granted. The claims for right and left knee DJD, bilateral hearing loss, upper back and neck conditions, infertility or miscarriage are not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The initial compensable disability rating for residuals of rectal fistula repair is denied, while the noncompensable disability rating for surgical scar, rectal fistula repair remains in effect.

The Veteran is granted a higher level of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) based on his ischemic heart disease and other service-connected disabilities, but not for the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder) have been reopened, and the evidence supports these claims. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of PTSD and depression, which are causally related to his verified in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder due to incomplete development regarding stressors and a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision affirms that the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors, specifically one involving a Korean soldier pointing a shotgun at him. The claim will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension were both remanded, as there is no presumptive basis based on Agent Orange exposure.