PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD and service connection for erectile dysfunction, right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and a left thigh scar have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss disability. Service connection for respiratory disorders (COPD, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia) related to asbestos and environmental exposures has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and GERD is remanded for further evaluation. The effective date remains pending as the appeal is still ongoing.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for private medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, service connection for prostate cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.

The Board has remanded the cases of a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to January 13, 2017 and TDIU based solely on PTSD prior to January 13, 2017 due to incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have caused occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gallbladder removal, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), and vitiligo due to inadequate VA opinions and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are alleged to have aggravated her gallbladder condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and prostate cancer are granted. The claim for lower gastrointestinal bleed is remanded.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on in-service stressors and current diagnosis. Service connection for prostate cancer is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides while serving in the 12-nautical mile territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed. The appeal to establish entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied. Appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD were withdrawn prior to the Board decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder is granted. His claim for secondary service connection for atrial fibrillation due to PTSD and anxiety disorder is also granted. However, his TDIU claim remains pending as it requires further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy is granted as service-connected due to the effects of his military occupational specialty (MOS) as a cannon crewman. Service connection for depressive disorder and PTSD, including right shoulder injury secondary to cervical spine disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was evaluated at a 70 percent rating. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine if he was exposed to herbicide agents during service and whether his current conditions are related to such exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA clinical records, particularly from May 2019, and because the issues have not been readjudicated following the addition of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), hypertension, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction due to procedural issues.