PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including kidney bypass, porphyria cutanea tarda, diabetes mellitus, gout, arthritis of the cervical spine, spinal stenosis, and hypertension. The Veteran was granted service connection for a heart disability due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, anxiety, depression).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a bilateral eye disorder is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, bilateral foot disability, and memory loss. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and the Board dismissed this issue.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee disorder and remanded the claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). The denial of right knee disorder is due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition. The PTSD claim requires further examination as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD prior to March 4, 2017 and from March 4, 2017 have been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his substantive appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of sinusitis, right shoulder condition, alopecia, and sleep disorder to include sleep apnea have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant during his April 2019 hearing. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, further examination is needed to determine if PTSD is present under DSM-V criteria and whether it is related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The claim for service connection of PTSD has been reopened, but the Veteran's right middle finger scar remains at a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for PTSD. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the Board finds that new evidence supports reopening of this claim. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for soft tissue sarcoma as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, heart disorder, skin disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depression Disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment. The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 14, 2015 for a 70% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of VA examination records and treatment history, which are necessary for an accurate determination of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be further evaluated after these records have been obtained.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities and is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen her husband's service connection for the cause of his death, finding no new and material evidence that would support reopening the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, increased ratings for diabetic nephropathy and diabetes mellitus, type II, and effective dates for TDIU and Dependents Education Assistance are denied. The Veteran's PTSD is not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in virtual isolation and produced totally incapacitating psychoneurotic symptoms since April 28, 1981. The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD effective from that date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete employment history and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and adjustment reaction disorder.

The reduction of the rating for prostate cancer from 100% to 60% effective August 1, 2016 was proper.,Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50% for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, lipoma of the right side of the abdomen, and OSA are all granted service connection. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination to determine if he has any residuals from his in-service ribcage injury.