PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional procedural and evidentiary development due to his relocation, homelessness, and lack of notification regarding VA examinations. The appeals for service connection for a skin disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder are now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent since February 9, 2012. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if a higher rating or TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The left ankle disability claim was denied previously, but the Veteran wishes to reopen this claim; it is also being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depressive features was denied in September 2009, and the effective date of this award is set at November 29, 2010. The Board found that an earlier effective date cannot be granted as there were no claims filed between the final denial in September 2009 and the Veteran's new claim in November 2010.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, schizophrenia, and alcohol dependence and polysubstance abuse are remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining treatment records from the Veteran's Vet Center and Grady Memorial Hospital. The issues of increased PTSD rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, but the Board finds extraschedular consideration is warranted due to conflicting evidence of his employment status. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis and noting that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for PTSD as defined by DSM-5.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent prior to March 7, 2017, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and left knee disability, as well as his TDIU claim due to additional development being required. The Veteran was previously denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, but this decision is now remanded. His service connection claim for a left knee disability remains pending. Additionally, the Board has requested further development regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for additional medical evaluation and consideration of VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for PTSD and a chest disability due to additional development being necessary, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits claims are dismissed as her PTSD has been rated at 100% since June 10, 2014. The effective date for DEA benefits is set to June 10, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA records and a retrospective opinion from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist regarding the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and its impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed as the issues are moot due to the grant of service connection in a September 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective November 10, 2011. A 10 percent rating for status-post laceration of the right long and ring fingers with residual painful scar is also granted effective that date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service. A VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his service.