PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeal as moot because a new decision granted the appellant the maximum benefit, attorney fees of 20 percent of past-due benefits awarded in the November 2019 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder as there are no verified in-service stressors that would support these claims, and the current symptoms of both conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed as the condition has already been granted and assigned a rating in another claim. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, and to determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in a disability rating of 70 percent prior to July 6, 2017. On and after July 6, 2017, the criteria for a higher disability rating were not met.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for PTSD was granted. His anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms were also granted, but the Veteran's PTSD claim was denied. The Veteran's ventral hernia is currently rated at 20 percent and remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and stimulant use disorder have been granted a 70 percent rating from September 21, 2020, effective date. The appeal was for higher ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and also granted SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to the erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective from October 25, 2011.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The atopic dermatitis claim was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the PTSD claim was denied due to symptoms not meeting the criteria for a 70% or higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD and a disability rating greater than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, as well as the claim for TDIU. The Veteran's representative withdrew representation prior to the June 2020 recertification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD due to personal trauma, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and concluding that any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 25, 2011 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and an earlier effective date of August 25, 2011 for the award of TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy were dismissed. The claim for service connection was granted with an effective date prior to April 15, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (previously PTSD) and a lumbar disability. The cases are remanded to determine if these conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence and unclear medical history regarding the Veteran's coronary artery disease. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and coronary artery disease, as well as TDIU, are now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted TDIU effective March 12, 2011. The rating for PTSD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease, rendered him unemployable as of December 15, 2010. Effective from that date, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to October 2, 2019 and remanded for further evaluation. The issue of service connection for fibromyalgia and seizures remains unresolved.