PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression with anxiety, intermittent explosive disorder, and chronic adjustment disorder due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with dysthymia and sleep impairment from October 7, 2010 to January 15, 2012.,A higher rating of 70 percent was denied for the period from January 16, 2012 to November 19, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes, hypertension, renal failure, and sleep apnea syndrome as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for PTSD was received on December 19, 2017. The Board found that the earliest date of factually ascertainable increase in severity occurred on August 16, 2017, and granted a 70% disability rating effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for PTSD. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to loud noise during service and his current diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the diagnoses of atypical stress disorder, anxiety disorder NOS, and bipolar disorder type I, mixed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD and Mood Disorder, NOS. The issues of rating in excess of 70 percent for these conditions are being reviewed, as is the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective June 12, 2017. The back disability and radiculopathy are both rated at 10%. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU based on PTSD was denied. The case of hypertension service connection is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for PTSD were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date, as his claim was not filed within one year of separation from service or based on a psychiatric disability in 1996. For the increased rating claim, the Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms warranted a 70 percent rating but not higher.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating as there is no severe incomplete paralysis of the nerve.

The Board has remanded the claims for allergic rhinitis, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence obtained after a previous denial. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 6, 1979 for PTSD and remanded the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reopening of his PTSD claim has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he died while it was pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent initial rating, effective from August 3, 2010. He is also granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD and Anxiety were rated at 50 percent prior to April 21, 2011. From April 21, 2011 to July 28, 2014, a 70 percent rating was granted. After that date, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for SUD, increased rating for PTSD, and a higher rating for left thumb scar due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.