PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of a cerebral vascular accident is denied as his impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His right foot/ankle disability and cognitive impairments are rated separately.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. The Veteran missed his first scheduled VA examination due to a fractured femur and an August 2019 VA examination due to inpatient treatment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines and PTSD, as well as his claim for TDIU due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider flare-ups of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to May 21, 2019 and denied for a higher rating. From May 21, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent and denied for a higher rating.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD with depression rating to 100% effective August 1, 2016 after finding that the reduction from 100% to 30% was improper.

The appeal for service connection for onychomycosis, claimed as right foot dermatitis, is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as PTSD, to include anxiety and depression are denied. The Veteran's hypertension claim has been remanded.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the right foot dermatitis issue in October 2019.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to by his service-connected PTSD, but the Board is unable to make a determination due to insufficient medical evidence.,If the VA examiner finds that PTSD aggravated coronary artery disease and led to hypertension and heart conditions resulting in death, they must provide an opinion on whether there is medical evidence prior to aggravation or at any time between the time of aggravation and the level of disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to make a decision on the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The Veteran's VA treatment records include diagnoses of insomnia, depression, and an unspecified 'anxiety state.' She testified that she began experiencing symptoms related to her claimed disabilities while in-service following hearing about sexual violence incidents.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to March 4, 2019. The rating will be adjusted based on the new evidence provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to a lack of current disability diagnosis.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for PTSD, currently rated at 70 percent, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 17, 2009 and granted a 100 percent rating from March 17, 2009 to February 7, 2012.,PTSD symptoms included occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and PTSD. The claims are being remanded due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and lack of verification of claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include sleep apnea, narcolepsy cataplexy, PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to MST and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The appellant is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder related to in-service stressors.

The VA denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia, but granted a TDIU based on service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's depression and PTSD are related to his service-connected Peyronie’s disease or other factors. The issues of service connection for depression and PTSD remain on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service in the Persian Gulf, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.