PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran submitted a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in December 2012 regarding the November 2012 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD. As such, the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to November 26, 2018 and at 70 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease was initially rated at 30 percent in February 2012 and increased to 70 percent after November 26, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with a Specified Trauma-Related Disorder in a VA psychiatric consultation but not PTSD as per the March 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran also testified about his hospitalizations at VA facilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea, claimed as secondary to PTSD, should be remanded for further evaluation due to a lack of an opinion on whether the sleep apnea is aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for service connection of PTSD and depression, requiring further development including a VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and the effective date for this rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and he is also granted increased ratings for his osteoarthritis of the left hand with post-traumatic changes of the left little finger and scar of the left fifth finger.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities (Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder) is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease due to new evidence. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability, including considering his reported stressor during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons and bases in the August 2017 decision regarding TDIU. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his PTSD's impact on his ability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include hearing loss, left leg condition, lower back condition, cervical spine condition (secondary to a lower back condition), acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and sleep disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, which was secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, as secondary to military sexual assault during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his PTSD, assess whether his obstructive sleep apnea is related to service or secondary to PTSD, and provide a rating in excess of 30 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and the relationship between his major depressive disorder and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and schizoaffective disorder have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced stressors related to his service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which led to his PTSD. For his schizoaffective disorder, the Board determined that there is no contradictory evidence and that it likely began during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 30 percent disability rating, but no higher. The skin condition claim has been remanded for further evaluation.