PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's application to reopen the service connection claim for right knee tendonitis is granted. To this extent only, the appeal is granted.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a heart disorder need further examination to determine if they are related to his military service or any other factors.

Service connection is granted for a recurrent left inguinal hernia, tinea versicolor, atrophy of the left testicle, and PTSD with major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's service records confirm his in-service exposure to hostile military activity, which supports his reported stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as due to personal assault type events in service is remanded. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including but not limited to PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety, and adjustment disorder, is also remanded.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 20, 2019 and as 30 percent disabling as of that date. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as Depression and PTSD) and sleep apnea are both remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder, to include as secondary to PTSD, due to insufficient reasons and bases provided in the previous decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for chronic venous stasis of the left leg and are remanded for further examination. The claim for a left leg disability manifested by fragment wounds is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a more reliable medical opinion regarding her claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for headaches. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and gastric disability are denied. A rating of 70% is granted for PTSD from December 9, 2008 to April 18, 2011, but the appeal for a higher rating since then remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 14, 2012 for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's freestanding claim for an effective date prior to October 22, 1992 for the award of service connection for right-sided trigeminal neuralgia is dismissed as a matter of law.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Melbourne Vet Center. The veteran's PTSD rating remains at 50 percent, but further action is needed to determine if a higher rating or TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of Generalized Anxiety Disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a separate diagnosis and therefore, service connection cannot be established.,For his PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, the Veteran received an increased rating to 70 percent effective January 31, 2014. He also received entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of regular aid and assistance as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding earlier effective date for PTSD, service connection for thyroid condition and skin conditions, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD and major depression) was also granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, due to incomplete records and a need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches, increased ratings for PTSD and hypertension due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder (asthma) and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for PTSD, migraine headaches, bilateral shoulder disabilities, calluses in the feet, and scars on the right shoulder are denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 70% under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant a 100% disability rating due to total occupational and social impairment.