PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, on a direct incurrence basis is denied. The claim for major depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain is granted with staged initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and TDIU remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder is granted. The right ankle disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board is remanding several issues including those related to PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness, low back condition, right and left foot conditions, and a right ankle condition. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to evaluate these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment since March 9, 2016.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to vacate the August 20, 2019 decision regarding his initial compensable disability rating for a scar on the abdomen and an initial disability rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD. The issues are now considered as if they were never decided.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to an in-service stressor and supported by credible evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) rating for the period from February 6, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened, including daily panic attacks and memory problems. The Board finds a remand to obtain another examination is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated. The issues are inextricably intertwined with TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with psychotic features is denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to February 27, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from May 1, 2017 was also denied.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is entitled to the full amount of accrued benefits owed to him at the time of his death, which was $18,858. The Board found that the VA correctly calculated these benefits and denied any additional claims for reimbursement.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right shoulder rotator cuff was dismissed as he withdrew the appeal. The appeal for a higher PTSD rating is granted with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder; evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc and joint disease; right shoulder disability; limitation of motion, right wrist with degenerative joint disease; and status post laceration, at wrist level, right third, fourth, and fifth finger tendons are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, right eye disability, prostate hypertrophy, and neuropathy of the right hand and left foot have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, and his claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal, finding that his discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. The evidence did not support a finding of insanity at the time of the offenses.

The Board denied reopening of previously denied claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, and bilateral tinnitus. The evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to October 20, 2019 and denied for a rating in excess of 70%. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he has not shown total unemployability.