PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD and sexual arousal disorder secondary to PTSD are denied as there was no prior, pending claim that could have resulted in these benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and a need for a VA examination to assess the appellant's mental state at the time of his AWOL offenses. The issue is not about service connection, but rather whether the character of the appellant’s discharge is a bar to receiving VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and PTSD has been granted with an effective date of November 2, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for venous insufficiency, fatigue in the legs, an enlarged testicle, and soft tissue sarcoma have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus (secondary to herbicide exposure), erectile dysfunction (as secondary to prostate cancer), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, thyroid disorder, tremors, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, gout, and kidney disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. A new examination is required, and the TDIU claim cannot be decided without resolving the issue of the increased rating.

The Veteran's death was caused by papillary thyroid carcinoma, which is presumed to be related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran had a service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling for over ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Veteran's PTSD has worsened since his last examination in 2013, and he requests that VA associate recent treatment records with his claim. The Board remanded the case for an updated VA examination to assess current manifestations of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder), and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's PTSD with Bipolar Disorder Type I has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the January 2018 decision allowing service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD with primary insomnia and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent, effective March 23, 2012. This rating reflects the severity of his symptoms, including depression, isolation, irritability, and sleep impairment, which have resulted in occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire appeal period. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board also granted the reopening of his previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, PTSD and MDD), bilateral frostbite residuals, and sleep apnea secondary to a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 for DIC benefits, as he did not receive a total rating for at least ten years immediately prior to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 5, 2011. After that date, the rating remained at 50 percent due to continued occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and shell fragment wounds to the face have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with somnambulism is granted a 70 percent evaluation prior to December 30, 2013. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent from that date and individual unemployability prior to March 31, 2018 are both denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a decision on the appellant's request for an upgrade in his character of discharge from his first period of active service. The claim will be reconsidered after this determination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent or higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and renal failure have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU for the entire period of appeal.