PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and new guidance from the Court regarding the definition of 'unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.' The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to have significant functional effects on his ability to work, as evidenced by private vocational assessments. Further examination is needed to determine if he qualifies for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the in-service stressors. The Veteran's service records from July 1971 to April 1973 need to be obtained, and he is asked to provide more details about his claimed stressors.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding an increased disability rating for PTSD and the other regarding the effective date of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claims are pending further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether her borderline personality disorder was aggravated by military sexual trauma and whether it is at least as likely as not that her service-connected PTSD was superimposed on her borderline personality disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his PTSD rating in excess of 30 percent is dismissed. The Veteran was unable to maintain employment due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD and cardiac issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal prior to the Board decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the nature of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA is required to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s reported stressors, obtain Social Security Administration records, and schedule a psychiatric examination.

The Board has assigned an effective date of August 16, 1989 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depression and alcohol abuse. However, the TDIU claim is remanded as it is dependent on the evaluation of the acquired psychiatric disorder from August 16, 1989 to July 10, 2001.

An effective date of August 17, 1982 for the grant of PTSD has been granted. An initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to December 17, 2007 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on military sexual trauma (MST) and/or major depressive disorder is granted. The issue of service connection for PTSD based on MST and/or major depressive disorder is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased ratings for PTSD, right eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to the need for more contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms are more severe than those noted on the February 2014 VA examination. The Board finds a need for an additional VA examination to assess his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD and/or ischemic heart disease, or if obesity caused by these conditions is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were denied. The effective dates for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability evaluation and special monthly compensation based on service-connected PTSD have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient information to make a decision on the appeal for the claimed disability. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's claims and need for additional medical examination.