PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of her acquired psychiatric disorder claim. The other conditions are now considered to be related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) and PTSD. The case is remanded to determine the current severity of the right knee disability and whether the Veteran meets criteria for a separate rating under DC 5257.

The Board has remanded three issues: PTSD with major depression, dementia, and alcohol abuse; post laminectomy syndrome, status post lumbar laminectomy and diskectomy; and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran needs to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations for his psychiatric disorder and spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, a right inguinal hernia, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on tinea pedis and post-surgical scarring have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on bilateral hallux valgus to include on an extraschedular basis have been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus and whether they have been aggravated by it.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during service and if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as a result of that stressor.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to determine a rating in excess of 50 percent for depression prior to November 15, 2016. The issues regarding effective dates for SMC, TDIU, and DEA are also remanded as they may be impacted by the outcome of the rating issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied, and the case is remanded for further development regarding his gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his PTSD only causes work difficulties during periods of high stress. The Board denies the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective from March 1, 2016. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further evaluation, and his TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues of residuals of a head/eye injury, gastritis with history of peptic ulcer, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being reviewed.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted. Service connection for a right knee disorder and left knee disorder, both secondary to service-connected bilateral hammertoe, is denied. Service connection for a low back disorder, also secondary to service-connected bilateral hammertoe, is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD with TBI are rated at 70% effective October 31, 2016. He also received separate ratings for headaches and vertigo due to TBI. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and inner elbow/muscle/bicep pain/weakness/numbness are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and increased ratings. The claims will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied. The Veteran’s condition is rated under Diagnostic Code 7005, and the only evidence responsive to the rating criteria comes from the February 2017 compensation and pension (C&P) examination.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder was denied. The Veteran’s symptoms more closely approximated the symptoms associated with a 70 percent rating, resulting in a level of impairment that most closely approximated the level of impairment associated with a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his 60 percent disability rating for CAD was denied. The Veteran’s August 2017 notice of disagreement (NOD) is not timely with respect to this decision.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied. The Veteran’s August 2017 NOD is not timely with respect to this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, multiple joint pain, hypercholesterolemia, and posttraumatic stress disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for a total disability rating based on unemployability and a higher rating for PTSD have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional evidence being needed, including medical articles and lay statements.