PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70% disabling, but the claim for a higher rating is denied. The Veteran also received TDIU effective February 28, 2014.

The Board has determined that the issues on appeal require additional consideration due to new evidence and a private medical opinion. The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding whether new and material evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in an August 2014 rating decision, and no new evidence or a notice of disagreement was submitted within one year. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is April 25, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and PTSD, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran's appeals for a permanent and total rating for PTSD, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, and earlier effective dates for back disorder and lower extremity disorders were dismissed. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date for service connection was November 25, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as he requires regular assistance due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations. The Board has also determined that SMC T is not warranted given the Veteran's condition does not require higher level care.

The RO increased the ratings for several conditions and granted service connection, but denied the request to apply the bilateral factor. The Veteran's combined rating is now 90 percent.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a remand for the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Veteran's hearing testimony indicates he injured his shoulders and hips during service. He also experienced depression stemming from these injuries.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since July 17, 2014. The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if a higher evaluation or TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development.

The Veteran's initial 70% disability rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran’s hypertension, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, requires further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the timing and nature of his exposure to herbicides, as well as incomplete treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to verify proximity to Vietnam and obtain pertinent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the effective date of TDIU was granted but no earlier than June 10, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of a diagnosed disability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is reopened. The Board also granted service connection for an other specified trauma and related disorder, finding it at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Board has decided that the service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, hypertension, laceration of the head, laceration of the mouth, blisters of the left foot, left eye disability, and left knee disability. The claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) was also denied.