PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to February 16, 2015. The rating is denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's PTSD disability has been rated at 70 percent since November 4, 2010. The rating is effective from the date of the VA examination that determined his symptoms warranted this level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and to determine if he has left hip, left knee, or right knee disabilities that are related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for dysthymic disorder with an adjustment disorder and a major depressive disorder, and syncopal episodes of unknown etiology. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia is rated at 70 percent, and no higher. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been raised but not yet adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for several benefits related to PTSD and other psychiatric conditions need to be reconsidered due to procedural issues. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from May 29, 2013 is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim. The appeals for a rating prior to May 29, 2013 and for TDIU are also dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as no indication of intent to apply prior to November 26, 2014 was found.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.,The Veteran's TBI claim requires clarification due to insufficient rationale in the August 2017 VA examination report.,A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the low back disability (DDD at L4-L5).,Left wrist and left shoulder conditions require a new VA examination for proper assessment.,Hypertension, gastroenteritis, and sleep apnea are remanded issues as no specific service connection theory or exposure basis is provided.,Service connection for asthma (claimed as a lung inhalational injury) is granted based on the onset during service and continued since then.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's tooth damage and bruxism are not secondary to service-connected PTSD, nor is it otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran also sought TDIU based on his PTSD. The Board found that he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further appellate review, including clarification of the PTSD rating and TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused his OSA. Therefore, the claim for service connection for OSA is granted on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his rating for hammer finger deformity and reopen his PTSD claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is reopened, but the effective date remains June 16, 2016. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD and a higher effective date are both remanded.