PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and Anxiety as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the DSM-5 criteria for these conditions. The VA examiners found no credible stressor events or diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and SMC due to loss of use of a creative organ on the basis of erectile dysfunction, as there are unresolved medical questions that need further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted as service-connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the service-connected PTSD.,Hypertension is granted as a direct result of service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor disorders, based on the Veteran's reported in-service personal assault.

The Board has granted the Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate from December 14, 2018 to March 31, 2019. The effective date for these benefits is not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling, and he is already receiving special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status. Therefore, the criteria for TDIU prior to February 19, 2013, have not been met.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is rated at a 60 percent disability rating from May 25, 2016 to September 1, 2016. The decision grants this increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, was granted an initial 50 percent rating prior to August 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requests additional development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a new mental health clinician's opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 27, 2014 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The decision stated that new service department records submitted in June 2019 were not relevant to a material fact in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions like sciatica and tinnitus, rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 4, 2009. From November 4, 2009 onwards, the Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as she had a single service-connected disability (PTSD) rated at 100%, and other disabilities that did not render her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressed moods resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for a 100% disability rating was denied.

The Board has granted a TDIU, but the Veteran's neck disability and PTSD issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is dismissed because he has been rated at 100% disabled due to PTSD since August 23, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including issuance of addendum medical opinions and translation of Spanish language documents from Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and remanded the issue of service connection for a Right Knee Disorder.