PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in April 2010, and the appeal period ended without a perfected appeal. The Veteran submitted a new claim to reopen his PTSD claim on February 21, 2012, which resulted in the grant of service connection. An effective date prior to this date is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The Board also remanded the cases of increased rating for right knee strain with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, as well as a compensable disability rating for her right knee scar.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, as his combined rating is 40 percent. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but has remanded the case to determine if Major Depressive Disorder is also related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disturbance disorder, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD or a sleep disturbance disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss disability to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also found that presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307 is not warranted.,Service connection was granted for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor, with the examiner finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's reported assault by his drill instructor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased initial rating for PTSD due to a finding of no clear and unmistakable error in the February 2009 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, a left foot disability, PTSD, and MDD due to the need for further evidentiary development. Specifically, VA treatment records from before May 2007 at San Juan VAMC should be obtained, as well as any untranslated documents in Spanish.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach pain, PTSD, and migraines have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for migraines has also been denied. The initial 10 percent disability rating for GERD prior to May 14, 2007 is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has been established for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking his symptoms to his active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, and therefore his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right ankle disorder. The effective dates are set at August 5, 2014. Secondary service connection is established for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for his left shoulder condition. The claim for psychiatric disorders was not addressed in detail, but it is noted that only depression was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically adjustment disorder, but denied service connection for PTSD. The adjustment disorder is related to the Veteran's in-service experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various psychiatric conditions, diabetes, a right knee condition, and prostate cancer. The remand requires further development of evidence regarding the Veteran’s claimed stressors for PTSD, verification of his in-service exposure to carbon tetrachloride/toxic chemicals for prostate cancer, and an addendum opinion from the March 2019 VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging a psychiatric examination to assess PTSD severity. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.