PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD prior to his death and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as there was a diagnosed condition, credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and a link between the current symptoms and the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and he is now receiving a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left shoulder gunshot wound to muscle group III. The Veteran also received separate ratings for painful scars of the left shoulder and arthritis of the left shoulder.,The Veteran’s psychiatric disability remains an issue on appeal, with a remand required for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's GERD is granted a 30% rating, but no higher. The lumbar spine disability and PTSD are remanded for further examination and opinion. Bilateral hearing loss is also remanded. TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective June 12, 2008. The Board has granted SMC at the housebound rate as of that date due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted at 70 percent effective from May 22, 2018. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the criteria for a higher rating were met prior to this date.,A TDIU based on ischemic heart disease and PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to July 1, 2015 for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,Service connection for heart disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, numbness of the left fingers, numbness of the right fingers, a left foot condition, a right foot condition, and numbness on the right side (described as right leg numbness) are remanded.,Service connection for teeth loss is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) is remanded.,Service connection for low testosterone is remanded.,Service connection for a right knee disability (claimed as a weak right knee), a low back disability (claimed as low back stiffness), and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for interstitial lung disease, hypothyroidism (claimed as a thyroid condition secondary to agent orange exposure), posttraumatic stress disorder, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinomas, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous skin lesions), and right sciatic nerve condition associated with low back strain. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for COD and DIC benefits.

The appeal regarding the rating for PTSD is remanded due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were discontinued due to her failure to cooperate with extended evaluation and the determination that achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, including as secondary to PTSD and/or due to Southwest Asia service, is denied. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board has granted a 70 percent rating. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. However, the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD remains pending as additional VA treatment records are needed.

The Veteran's PTSD, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee condition, and right foot condition have been granted. The TDIU due to PTSD has also been granted. However, the increased rating for right knee degenerative joint disease and service connection for hypertension are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied, and the claim for service connection of left knee arthritis is denied. The case for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence.