PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and major depressive disorder), hypertension, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and erectile dysfunction (ED) due to in-service stressors. The Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology will be considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating for the entire appeal period, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD and TBI, including separate ratings for psychiatric symptoms, increased ratings for PTSD with TBI, and a compensable rating for posttraumatic headaches. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and GAD, due to combat exposure during military service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his current psychiatric disabilities are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claim for service connection for chloracne.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the increased rating claims for right knee, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran’s left upper extremity neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome are rated at 30 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran’s right upper extremity neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were granted a rating of 40 percent prior to December 6, 2019, and denied from that date forward.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 40 percent prior to December 6, 2019, and denied from that date forward.,The Veteran’s right lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 40 percent prior to December 6, 2019, and denied from that date forward.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to December 6, 2019, and denied from that date forward.,The Veteran’s right lower extremity femoral peripheral neuropathy was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to December 6, 2019, and denied from that date forward.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to June 29, 2019 did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD is granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine whether he has separate and distinct diagnoses of PTSD or Depression, which are related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 14, 2012. The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, effective September 24, 2014. The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a statement of the case regarding the issue of an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an anxiety disorder was granted. The claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, and cannabis use disorder were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and review of the Veteran's psychiatric claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder with PTSD is rated at 50 percent since July 24, 2013. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating effective from that date due to gross impairment in thought processes or communication and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's PTSD, other specified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder are rated at 70 percent effective April 20, 2016. The appeal is denied for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his confirmed in-service stressor, and thus service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma and other conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise etiologically related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his military service in Southwest Asia. The claims will be reconsidered after additional research is conducted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, headaches, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.