PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, as the Veteran's functional limitations were primarily attributed to his dementia rather than his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, heart disease, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for congenital cataracts has been denied as the evidence does not show that his condition was aggravated by active duty service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and an anxiety disorder) have been remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The examiner must consider all psychiatric diagnoses during the appeal period and provide a rationale for their opinion.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition has been remanded as the VA examination was inadequate. An addendum is required, considering whether the condition is directly related to active duty service or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder condition or degenerative disc disease.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for burn scars of the face and right forearm, as well as his claims for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion and bilateral wrist disability. The issues related to PTSD are addressed separately.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety condition, severe headaches, left foot condition, right foot condition, intervertebral disk syndrome (claimed as low back problems), left hip problems, and right knee condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart disability, and hypertension due to the need for additional development including examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including tinnitus, alcohol abuse, traumatic brain injury, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip condition, left hip osteoarthritis, right sciatica, left sciatica, bilateral leg disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision also denied a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD with obsessive compulsive disorder was not shown to cause total occupational and social impairment prior to November 8, 2018. As such, a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from May 4, 2009 to April 16, 2019. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from May 4, 2009 to April 16, 2019. From April 16, 2019, a total schedular rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, skin cancer, an eye disability, PTSD, and hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also remanded as it involves a mental health condition that may be related to his claimed skin disability.,The Board has not addressed the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability due to 38 U.S.C. § 1151, which was referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of his claims. The case is remanded to allow for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation due to recent hospitalizations and the need for updated VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, while the service connection for residuals of frostbite is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted for neck injury, spine injury, bilateral hand injuries, bilateral arm injuries, right shoulder injury, and PTSD due to VA personnel's negligence in providing appropriate medical care.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period, and this rating renders his TDIU claim moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic lymphocyte leukemia disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and depression). The claim for the psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new evidence of in-service stressors. However, the Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied a higher rating for PTSD from March 31, 2011 to December [REDACTED], 2017. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD after December [REDACTED], 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric history, a skin disorder, a prostate disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.