PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for a stomach disability (chronic gastritis) is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during active service and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD due to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 5, 2017.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that her symptoms are related to in-service personal assault.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to unclear diagnoses and incomplete service records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for a new examination of the Veteran's heart disability. The ultimate question of employment capability is not a medical one but rather an adjudicator's determination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an additional VA PTSD examination to assess his current level of functioning with regards to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain a gainful employment, leading to the grant of a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is due to military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during her active service, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to November 5, 2018 for PTSD has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, finding that the current degree of occupational and social impairment matches a 70 percent disability rating but does not warrant total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of heat injury (with confusion and dizziness), headaches, and hypertension are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,New evidence has been submitted that may support or refute the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder, from November 1, 2018 to August 26, 2019, and a greater than 70 percent rating thereafter, was dismissed due to the absence of a substantive appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, so the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, anterior spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since September 21, 2017. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hypertension, and left eyelid laceration disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is remanded due to errors in the initial decision, including failure to verify a reported stressor related to a storm during service. An addendum opinion is needed to address additional stressors and whether the Veteran’s conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disability have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of representation by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right knee disability and a TDIU was granted. The effective date for the TDIU is set at August 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.