PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing updated VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a new psychiatric disorder assessment, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD due to a lack of adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's contention that anxiety symptoms from his PTSD preclude him from using a CPAP device, which in turn aggravates his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied.,A rating of 50 percent for chronic headaches was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, the issue of TDIU prior to November 21, 2016, remains pending and will be considered in conjunction with the PTSD rating determination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a mental disorder and metastatic esophageal cancer due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's aircraft maintenance duties are alleged to be related to his current health issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues include psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, MDD, GAD, and fibromyalgia; and joint pain, specifically fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to incomplete VA examinations. The appeals for initial ratings of more than 10 percent for his knee and back disorders, as well as PTSD with depression, are now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with PTSD and anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent, effective July 14, 2014 to December 8, 2015.,A rating of 50 percent for the period beginning December 9, 2015 has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PTSD, TDIU, Degenerative Disc and Joint Disease, and Radiculopathy were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these appeals at a Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking medical opinions regarding his PTSD, stroke, and TBI. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for a stroke, and an earlier effective date for PTSD are all being remanded.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD, depression, and chronic sleep disturbances are related to his active military service.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and depression was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, resulting in a denial. The OSA and hypertension claims were remanded due to inadequate development.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. Service connection for a stomach disability due to Camp Lejeune exposure is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a skin disability manifested by multiple lipomas (now claimed as soft tissue sarcoma), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, now claimed as PTSD). However, these claims are still pending because the RO needs to obtain updated VA treatment records and provide a VA examination to determine if there is a causal relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records. The appellant is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot disorder, PTSD, hernia residuals, back disorder, congestive heart failure, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, type II diabetes mellitus, and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a bilateral eye disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), speech disorder, and right leg disorder. The effective dates are not specified in this decision.

The reduction in the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD from 50 percent to 30 percent was improper, and the 50 percent rating is restored.