PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent prior to May 5, 2011 for PTSD, TDIU prior to May 5, 2011, and SMC for aid and attendance/housebound due to incomplete records. The Veteran's SSA benefits records need to be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5 criteria and insufficient evidence linking the adjustment disorder to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a lumbar back scar, and tinnitus. The remaining claims have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, are due to his in-service combat exposures. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the record. The Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic alcoholism, and acute bronchitis and asthma have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection cannot be established because the Veteran does not meet the criteria for diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran’s diagnosed alcohol dependency is also not considered a compensable condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective from March 29, 2018 to February 28, 2019. The rating for PTSD prior to March 29, 2018 remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2016 and 10 percent after that date. The Veteran also receives a grant for total unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or a link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain employment, and the Board granted a TDIU for the appeal period from January 23, 2015 to February 7, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment sufficient to warrant a higher rating, and that the Veteran had not provided necessary information to support her claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The claim for TDIU is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation. The tinea versicolor is rated at 10 percent, while the PTSD has been increased to 50 percent prior to February 2012 but denied for ratings higher than 50 percent before October 29, 2018, and denied for ratings higher than 70 percent after that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, to include the residuals of a collapsed lung. The Veteran was not found to have any current respiratory disability that is related to her active military service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for blood clots. There is no evidence in the record showing that she has had a blood clot-related disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for left foot plantar fasciitis, and also determined that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and increased ratings for various knee and spine disabilities, as well as a compensable rating for dermatitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's seizures are related to her PTSD and if they were caused by her medications. The VA needs to provide a new opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development. The Veteran's claims for a TDIU and service connection for erectile dysfunction will be reconsidered.