PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his need for regular personal assistance from his wife, as established by medical evidence.

The Veteran's unauthorized private treatment on March 20, 2013 was not for a service-connected disability and he was not an active VA health-care participant. Therefore, the claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between his active duty service and the conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss disability, and his claim for psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, cardiac, erectile dysfunction, thyroid, sleep apnea, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders was denied. The Board found no current disabilities in the record.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, finding that the evidence did not establish a valid in-service stressor. The issue of tinnitus was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD and peripheral neuropathy was granted. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, while the ratings for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were raised to 30 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right shoulder impingement syndrome. The reduction in disability rating for his lumbar spine disorder from 20% to 10% is also granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of his medical history.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in April 2008 due to lack of evidence confirming a link between his current symptoms and an in-service stressor. The Board found that the April 2008 rating decision did not contain CUE, and denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions including loss of muscle mass, degenerative joint disease, blood disorder, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders all claimed as resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation. The decision was made due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but CAD remains at a 10 percent rating. The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder arthritis. Service connection is remanded for an acquired psychiatric disorder and eye condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and has remanded her claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to reports of worsening symptoms, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and Depressive Disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and ischemic heart disease were dismissed. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic retinopathy (right eye) are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD related to verified in-service stressors.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues currently on appeal, including the disability rating for PTSD. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left eye glaucoma, and PTSD due to outstanding treatment records not being associated with the claims file. The Veteran will need new examinations to determine current severity of his conditions, as well as a VA Form 21-8940 completed by him.