PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is related to in-service military sexual trauma and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression disorder (MDD), should be remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its relationship to service.

The Veteran's death was caused by chronic renal failure and COPD, with hypertension possibly contributing. The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for cause of death and DIC under § 1318 are inextricably intertwined with the pending claims for PTSD, alcoholism, alcohol-induced dementia, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent from April 18, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity are present but not sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice regarding service connection for PTSD based on an in-service personal assault. The Veteran must be provided a proper notice letter and given the opportunity to provide alternative forms of evidence or identify potential sources of such evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed because it was not appealed when initially granted in 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an updated VA examination using DSM-5 guidelines and consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected psychiatric disability was granted, with an effective date of February 19, 2015.,Service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disorder, PTSD, and TBI. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence.

The Veteran's effective date for a 70 percent evaluation of PTSD with depressive symptoms is granted as of August 14, 2017. The Veteran's lumbar strain evaluation remains remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from January 5, 2015 to January 4, 2016. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and found that the Veteran was not entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 4, 2013. The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's death was caused by liver cirrhosis, which the Board finds may be related to his alcohol abuse disorder. The cause of death claim is REMANDED for a new VA opinion on whether PTSD with anxiety led to or aggravated the alcohol abuse disorder and thus contributed to the Veteran’s death. For the lower and upper extremities conditions, the claims are also REMANDED as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection for the cause of death claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include psychiatric, right knee, right foot, left foot, and sinus disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 15, 2016, for a 70 percent evaluation for his service-connected PTSD. The decision found that there was no ascertainable increase in severity during the year preceding this date.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Type II. The Veteran's stomach condition other than IBS with diverticulitis and diverticulosis is denied.

The appeal to reopen claims for service connection of PTSD, OSA, and low back disability is granted.,The appeals to reopen claims for service connection of right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia, tenosynovitis, and OSA are remanded. The claim to reopen service connection for a low back disability remains on appeal.,Service connection for hypertension is granted from the date last worked in November 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings was granted, with a rating of 20 percent. Attorney fees are not awarded as the claim is not about service connection.