PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was granted. The claims for hypertrophic lichen planus, gout, lung disability, and diabetes were remanded due to insufficient information regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that his symptoms have likely worsened. The claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and insomnia on an accrued basis. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, a breathing problem disability, a cervical disability, degeneration of the intervertebral disc, hypoglycemia, a right elbow disability, a left knee disability, a chest pain disability, bilateral blepharitis, bilateral senile cataracts, dry eyes, and vision problems on an accrued basis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 26, 2016. The Board found that the evidence showed severe disability and granted a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, and denied his claim for an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection effective May 8, 2013. An earlier effective date is denied. From May 8, 2013 to February 21, 2017, the Veteran received a 100% rating for his PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for several conditions, but these matters are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the Veteran's inconsistent statements about an in-service assault. New evidence submitted since the January 2011 decision is not new and material as it does not relate to an unsubstantiated fact or raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 16, 1993 for his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD prior to April 11, 1980 and thus could not be granted retroactive effective dates based on a liberalizing law.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he does not have sufficient service-connected disabilities to qualify under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions. The Board also remanded issues related to prostate cancer compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and lower extremity disabilities.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service. Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disability because there was no chronic condition in service or within the presumptive period, and no link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 24, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and TDIU is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding his employment status since January 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and increased rating for pulmonary tuberculosis were denied. The claim for increased rating for pulmonary tuberculosis was granted with a disability rating of 10% from March 4, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent or more for his service-connected other recurrent depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted due to a diagnosis in accordance with the DSM-5, a link between current symptoms and an in-service personal assault, and credible supporting evidence of the assault.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip arthritis has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for TBI is remanded due to recent hearing testimony indicating his current level of severity. The eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance due to permanent and total disability is also remanded as it could be affected by the development ordered.

The appeals for service connection of major depressive disorder, PTSD, penile deformity, and brain cancer have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his active service. The case is being sent back for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether it is related to his military service or any other condition. The Veteran must provide additional information and/or evidence, including private treatment records.