PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left hydrocele, also claimed as hernia and painful lump in testicles, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, mood disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's claim is more accurately characterized as seeking any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance of another or being housebound.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the Board has decided that this reduction is improper and remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected memory problems are now considered. The Board has ordered a VA aid and attendance examination to assess if all his disabilities require regular assistance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lateral ankle sprain and has remanded his service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the schedular threshold for consideration of a TDIU at the time he filed his claim in March 2008. The Board also found it not factually ascertainable that his PTSD increased in severity so as to warrant a 70% rating within the year prior to the receipt of his March 17, 2008, claim.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right foot. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not presumed related to herbicide exposure and there is no evidence of a continuity of symptomatology within one year of separation from service. However, the examiner should consider whether alcohol abuse may have contributed to the development of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was granted. The claims for prostate cancer, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, right eye residuals of pterygium, left eye residuals of pterygium, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and abdominal pain were all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, due to outstanding VA and SSA records that may contain relevant information.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination for PTSD and review of all evidence received since the last prior adjudication.

The Veteran's TDIU for his service-connected PTSD is granted, and the claim for a schedular rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is withdrawn.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 29, 1996 for the grant of service connection for PTSD as a freestanding earlier effective date claim is not valid.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 30%, effective July 1, 2016. His claim for a higher rating remains pending. The heart disorder and sleep apnea claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted. The appeal for an initial disability evaluation for right-wrist disorder based on limitation of motion is denied, but the issue of a separate neurological rating is remanded.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and PTSD are related to his reported stressor while serving in combat in Kosovo. The Board finds that the current psychiatric conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and TDIU have been granted. The appeal to reopen the claim for service connection of tinnitus is also granted. A disability rating of 70 percent has been assigned for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development of medical evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, substance dependence, other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and unspecified mood disorder are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a temporary total rating based on hospitalization in excess of 21 days were dismissed. The appeal pertaining to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded.