PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the current diagnosis of PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. Service connection for a right ankle disorder is denied, while service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a disability other than PTSD, leg disability, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been dismissed due to his withdrawal during the December 2019 Board hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral SNHL is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during service or within the presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this condition.,Right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied due to lack of evidence of a current diagnosis.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and diabetes mellitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder not otherwise specified. The appeal was remanded for further action on other issues, but these were no longer before the Board due to a grant of service connection for bilateral knee conditions and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 2, 2011 for a disability rating of 100 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia, PTSD, and depression). The issue of entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is moot as the primary basis for the grant of TDIU would be the Veteran's service-connected mental disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of a May 1997 treatment note in the VA examination report. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is now pending and requires further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD and for a TDIU due to outstanding records not being obtained, including VA treatment records since August 2017. The Veteran needs to be reexamined to reassess his PTSD severity.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings have been dismissed. The Board found the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding PTSD, heart disability, prostate disability, and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU due to outstanding medical records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) not having been addressed in a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma was granted effective August 28, 2014. The effective date for PTSD was also granted on the same day.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Additional medical records and an updated VA examination are needed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not show that he suffers from total occupational and social impairment, which is required for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the remaining issues including right and left elbow disabilities, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, GERD with hiatal hernia, and sinusitis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that his claim was not raised in the context of a prior sleep disorder claim and that no new evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.