PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability and a right foot disability, to include a fifth metatarsal fracture.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and hearing loss were first denied in a February 2017 rating decision. The Board finds that remand is warranted due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hypertension due to potential issues with the VA examinations conducted. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam, which may affect the outcome of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and polysubstance dependence is being remanded for additional medical evaluation due to the lapse in time since his last VA examination.

The Board has found the NOD received in March 2015 was not timely filed and thus, the June 2011 rating decision is final. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety and latent PTSD from February 20, 2013 to September 30, 2017 was denied as the evidence did not establish occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms.,The Veteran's increased rating for major depressive disorder with comorbid anxiety and latent PTSD from October 1, 2017 was also denied because her symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a 70% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, as well as further adjudication of the service connection claim for epilepsy. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being evaluated in light of their onset during service or secondary to his epilepsy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a right knee disability, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus his claim for special monthly compensation is denied.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disability other than PTSD is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also grants service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence shows a current disability and relates it to in-service motor vehicle accidents. Service connection for back disability, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal regarding whether his service character is a bar to receiving VA benefits and also denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and residuals of a fragment wound of the left foot have been remanded due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The Board will attempt to verify stressors, conduct an examination, and determine if service connection can be established.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability was manifested by symptoms that approximated total social and occupational impairment throughout the appeal period, warranting a 100 percent disability evaluation from January 7, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from May 9, 2008 to August 13, 2018. Effective August 14, 2018, the rating for PTSD was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 3, 2015, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is now rated at 30 percent, effective July 24, 2012. Service connection for PTSD remains denied, but an earlier effective date of July 24, 2012 has been granted.,The Veteran's IBS was found to be severe and manifested by diarrhea with more or less constant abdominal distress. The earlier effective dates for both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and PTSD have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.