PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is granted for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for post traumatic headaches. The application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. Issues related to residuals of a stroke, right cornea disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran was previously assigned a 100 percent rating for PTSD from December 1, 2015. The Board has now granted a 100 percent rating effective as of December 1, 2015.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that his current diagnosis of PTSD is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, ED, incontinence with urinary frequency, coronary artery disease status post pacemaker implant, and residuals of a stroke disability. The TDIU claim is also on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examinations. The Veteran's psychiatric, right shoulder, and bilateral knee conditions are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he already has a 100% disability rating and is receiving SMC under the special monthly compensation (SMC) provisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, varicose veins, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence did not show that any of these conditions had their onset in service or were related to service.,Service treatment records were silent for complaints or treatment of any of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying an increased evaluation for PTSD. A new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings and a need for further development of the record, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability prior to April 20, 2009. The case is referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran now meets the schedular criteria for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a), but this case needs to be readjudicated on a schedular basis due to failure to provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and an effective date prior to December 9, 2017, is denied.,PTSD was granted a 30 percent disability rating in June 2016, which was continued in May 2018. A 50 percent rating for PTSD is now effective from December 9, 2017.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy were initially rated at 10 percent each, with a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine and 20 percent ratings for both lower extremities granted in August 2018. The effective date is December 9, 2017.,PTSD was granted a 30 percent disability rating in June 2016, which was continued in May 2018. A 50 percent rating for PTSD is now effective from December 9, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his disability and for consideration of an increased rating. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the PTSD rating issue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed due to their death.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and left and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his combat service in Vietnam. The claims were reopened due to new evidence showing a possible link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of a contemporaneous VA examination for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and because the issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other specified trauma and stress related disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for anxiety. The issues of service connection for PTSD, depression, and other specified trauma and stress related disorder are being remanded to determine if the symptoms are separate from those of anxiety.