PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea with exercise-induced asthma, right shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, cerebrovascular accident residuals, and seborrheic dermatitis. The remand includes obtaining updated medical records, scheduling examinations for each condition, and determining appropriate ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD due to a new ruling in Ward v. Wilkie, which requires that any secondary service-connection etiology opinion must consider incremental increases in disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and his CAD was initially denied for the period prior to September 22, 2016. Since then, a 60 percent rating has been granted. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim of a higher rating for PTSD prior to March 17, 2014 due to its connection with another claim (TDIU) and will be readjudicated together.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 23, 2016 has been denied due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The rating for left shoulder bursitis and bicep tendonitis status post-surgery, lumbosacral strain prior to April 4, 2019, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities were all denied or had their effective dates extended.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is rated at 70 percent, effective July 29, 2013. The claim for TDIU based on the service-connected PTSD is granted as of July 22, 2014.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was granted. The appeal is remanded for further action on the PTSD and TDIU claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS with alcohol dependence. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was previously denied. New and material evidence has been received, reopening the claim. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is related to his military service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus has been reopened, but the issue remains denied. The effective dates for other claims have not been established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease (CAD), have rendered him unemployable for the period prior to November 16, 2018. The TDIU claim is granted for this period. For the periods from November 16, 2018 to February 3, 2019 and beginning on February 4, 2019, the Veteran has a combined 100 percent schedular rating due to CAD, which also qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to report for scheduled appointments. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is now pending again.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and TDIU have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for PTSD has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is being remanded for a new VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of her condition. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so TDIU must also be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD secondary to MST, anxiety disorder, and depression is remanded due to the need for further development regarding her claims.