PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

Service connection for PTSD, left hand laceration scar, and right leg cancer has been granted. Service connection for TBI, right eye laceration scar, and left shoulder disability (impingement syndrome) is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right shoulder disability (tendinopathy changes of the supraspinatus) is denied.

The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD is reopened. The Veteran's testimony about stressors he experienced while in service has been considered as new and material evidence. A remand is ordered to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's MDD with PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the most probative evidence did not reach the level of equipoise as to whether the Veteran's PTSD manifested functional impairment to the extent that a higher rating was warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a PTSD rating is denied as there were no pending claims prior to the October 5, 2016 application.,A TDIU rating is granted effective October 5, 2016 based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as his right ear has Level II hearing and left ear has Level I hearing.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is remanded due to lack of evidence in the record.,Service connection for a bilateral knee condition is also remanded due to lack of evidence in the record.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder were diagnosed in July 2012, shortly before the claim was filed. The VA is required to obtain a medical opinion to determine if these conditions existed at the time of filing and are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional efforts should be made to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and whether they are related to his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates for PTSD, IBS/GERD, migraine headaches, and myalgia have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his initial rating decision (August 21, 2015). TDIU is granted for the entire appeal period. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar strain are remanded, as are migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional information regarding military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, right hip synovitis, meralgia paresthetica of the lower extremities, degenerative arthritis with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and chronic headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and major depression have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU claim is granted. The DEA claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right ankle disability, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, cardiovascular symptoms, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for residual shell fragment scars of the left leg, nose fracture residuals, left eye dacryocystitis, PTSD, and TDIU rating prior to December 18, 2013 due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and Anxiety Disorder as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's in-service symptoms were not diagnosed or treated, and the evidence does not support a finding that he currently suffers from either condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for anemia, a skin disability, a foot disability, hypertension, and PTSD as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.