PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was previously rated at 70 percent, but the claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, left elbow overuse syndrome, and shoulder condition have worsened since his discharge from service. The Board has ordered new VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence and a shrapnel injury to the neck are both being remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his PTSD, which he claims has worsened since his last VA examination in 2015. He also seeks service connection for a shrapnel injury to his neck that occurred during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and non-service-connected disabilities. The VA must schedule an examination to assess the severity and permanency of all his disabilities, including their impact on employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a scar of the anterior trunk, associated with furunculosis are being remanded due to his failure to appear for VA examinations. He is required to provide updated medical records and undergo further evaluations.

The Board dismissed the appeal for the evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder due to a lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal. The case is remanded for further action on the evaluation of bilateral feet callouses and plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to missing VA medical records.

An initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 26, 2017 is granted.,An initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD beginning April 26, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's symptoms have not caused total occupational and social impairment since that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder; entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for GERD; and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic pharyngitis associated with GERD. The Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as the current severity of his GERD and pharyngitis.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered additional development to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its connection with the increased rating claim.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and opinion regarding PTSD, psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and PTSD disabilities, but has not yet decided whether these claims are well-grounded or granted. The case is REMANDED to allow further development.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated based on their functional loss due to pain, with the right ankle receiving a rating of 20 percent from May 22, 2017. The left ankle disability has also received a 20 percent rating since that date.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent and requires a new examination to determine if it warrants an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient employment information and a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's unemployability claim based on PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective September 16, 2019. SMC for the Veteran was also granted effective January 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and issues regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence, including from his Air National Guard (ANG) service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his PTSD does not prevent him from performing the physical and mental acts required for employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, was granted. Claims for asthma, CFS, bronchitis, TBI, sleep apnea, COPD, and heart disorder were dismissed.