PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD based on new and material evidence is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for service-connected acne and pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) is remanded due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the disorders and service. The claim for service connection for prostate cancer is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol and cannabis abuse was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU effective November 4, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of September 27, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran became unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of this date.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have these conditions and they are not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran is also entitled to an examination to assess his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted a 70 percent rating from February 25, 2015 to October 20, 2017. The initial higher ratings for PTSD and dismissal of the TBI claim are all in effect.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep disorder are granted. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, low back disorder, colon cancer, carcinoma of the appendix, and chronic fatigue are remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, but not for a separate sleep disorder. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss. Diabetes mellitus, type II, low back disorder, colon cancer, carcinoma of the appendix, and chronic fatigue are all remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a facial skin condition and a skin disorder of the back, shoulders, chest, and stomach have been denied. The claim for PTSD has been remanded due to the need to verify an in-service stressor.,Service connection is not granted for any of the conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and depression. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into service for any pre-existing conditions, including mental health issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical evidence and conducting VA examinations to address his service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, finding that it is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.,Additional examination is required to determine if the Veteran’s unspecified depressive disorder is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s headaches are due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's sleep disturbance (including sleep apnea and insomnia) claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s athlete's foot is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia with bilateral leg pain claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s hypertension is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's right knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's left knee disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claims require an additional VA examination to determine if they are related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and/or Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,The Veteran's skin rash on face and head claims require an additional VA examination to determine if it is due to exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.,An additional VA examination is needed to assess whether the Veteran’s gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is related to his in-service exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards, specifically being 'often' exposed to sand/dust and smoke from oil fire.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for low back condition, bilateral hand condition, right shoulder injury, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to February 18, 2016. The Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 10, 2016. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent. The Veteran was also denied TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient notice provided regarding the Veteran's claim for PTSD based on a physical assault in service. The Veteran needs more time and assistance understanding what forms of evidence may be submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for asthma, left knee condition, hemorrhoids, and PTSD due to lack of current diagnoses and failure to meet all criteria for service connection.