PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), right knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease with limitation of flexion, and right knee patellofemoral degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have prevented him from securing or following gainful employment prior to September 17, 2009. An effective date of February 13, 1981 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 24, 2002. He was granted a TDIU for the period from December 24, 2002 to June 31, 2007 and September 1, 2008 to the present. The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment during these periods.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective February 18, 2010. The Board also granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating since April 1, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and if it is related to a verified in-service stressor.

The Board dismissed the appeals for PTSD and bipolar disorder/personality disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD due to military sexual trauma, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection prior to June 16, 2014 for PTSD. The decision found that the April 2012 rating decision was final and no new and material evidence had been submitted within one year.

The Board has granted TDIU for the periods prior to February 1, 2016, and from December 1, 2016. However, the case is remanded for further consideration of TDIU for the period from February 1, 2016, to June 13, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The VA will need to obtain additional records, including counseling records from Fort Gordon and treatment records from Shoreline Community College.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD, PTSD with MDD, and TDIU due to unresolved issues. Service connection for GERD is denied as there is no evidence of onset during service or a nexus to service. The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent but the Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, were not shown to be related to service or any other compensable event, injury, or illness. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that began during service or is otherwise related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD. As a result, the Board dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, lumbar spine disorder, asthma, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and further evaluation is needed.