PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for additional development due to lack of recent medical records and the need to assess current severity.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new evidence and updated medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST), finding that the Veteran's claims are supported by evidence of record, including consistent lay statements and VA treatment records.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the earliest effective date she is entitled to is July 19, 2012, which is the date her claim to reopen was filed.

The Board has ordered a remand due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's reported Vietnam stressors were adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD and related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, leading to the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating from January 7, 2010 to December 11, 2011. The Board also found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities during this period and granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of an initial evaluation greater than 50 percent for PTSD with panic disorder and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence related to his left ankle sprain. The other issues have been resolved by previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The claim of service connection for anal fistula has been denied.,The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD is granted due to new evidence showing a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 8, 2017. A TDIU is granted effective from that date. The right knee disability and OSA are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable throughout the appeal period, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. The claim for bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The claim for skin cancer remains pending, with the need for an addendum opinion to address whether it is related to in-service exposure or sunburns/sun exposure.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded. An addendum opinion is needed regarding whether his diagnoses are related to fear of hostile military activity or a verified stressor.,The claim for service connection for COPD remains pending, with the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether it is related to presumed exposure to jet fuel in service.,The cause of death claim has been remanded. The Board will consider the relationship between the Veteran's PTSD and his respiratory disorder (COPD) as well as any other factors that may have contributed to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 50% since August 31, 2016, is now rated at 70%, the next higher percentage rating. The decision also grants a temporary TDIU for the period from November 7, 2016 to January 31, 2017.

The Board dismissed the claim of entitlement to a temporary total rating for PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder from November 2012 to December 2012 as it is dependent on the grant of service connection, which was already granted in January 2020.