PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted because his service-connected PTSD and cold injuries made it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, as the symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease with bypass surgery is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for left hip osteoarthritis was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for low back disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 13, 2009 for service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has dismissed all three issues in the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression and anxiety, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressors. The diagnosed acquired psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD are considered sequelae or symptoms of his nonservice-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD, which was granted in December 2013. The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran experienced or displayed symptoms of PTSD on or about April 26, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 25, 2011 for the award of service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to new and material evidence having been received.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is reopened based on additional VA treatment records showing X-ray evidence of degenerative changes and a diagnosis of rotator cuff disorder, which may be related to the in-service injury. The claim for service connection for a left hand disorder (secondary to a left shoulder disorder) and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded due to his failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and OSA have been granted service connection.,Service connection for prostate gland disability is dismissed, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board granted an effective date of April 14, 1972 for the award of service connection for PTSD based on evidence showing symptoms and a claim filed shortly after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for new VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for migraine headaches and PTSD with bulimia were denied. The rating for migraines was not granted in excess of the current 50 percent, while the PTSD claim had its effective date set to December 15, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 30% and 40%, respectively, effective May 15, 2015. A separate rating of 50% for PTSD has also been granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in September 2013, and no new or material evidence was submitted within a year. The effective date of the award of service connection is set at November 6, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD is aggravated by his exposure to burn pits, but not caused or made worse by it. The decision applies only to this specific issue.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and AUD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as she does not exhibit total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and set the effective date at January 14, 2015. The Veteran's claim was received on that day, but he had already been diagnosed with PTSD by December 2014.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and insomnia), residuals of a burn to the face, and bilateral impaired vision are all granted.