PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives regarding research of the Veteran's in-service stressor. The Veteran is seeking service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, which are currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disturbance are granted with a 50% rating. The Veteran's cervical strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's right knee tendonitis with shin splints is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's BPH is denied as not warranting an increased rating. The Veteran's left shin splint is denied as not warranting a compensable rating.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for PTSD and granted an earlier effective date of November 12, 2014 for the initial award of service connection for PTSD. The appeal is remanded to determine if the Veteran should be awarded a disability rating for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's mental disorder, specifically a mood disorder with mild anxious hypomanic and depressive symptoms and PTSD, has been rated at 70 percent since October 29, 2010. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU prior to January 27, 2014 are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence of record. The VA is required to obtain additional records from the Veteran and any private providers, including counseling and hospital records. A retrospective PTSD examination is also needed.

Service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including adjustment disorder) is granted, while service connection for OSA, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the failure to obtain Vet Center treatment records from October 2012 to the present. The RO must attempt to obtain these records, conduct a new examination, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye aphakia is granted. From June 26, 2008 to January 7, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at 70 percent and from January 7, 2010, his PTSD symptoms are rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating than 30 percent for his service connected PTSD is remanded due to new evidence of increased severity and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the effect of the Veteran's PTSD medications on his sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, mood disorder, and depression. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression due to a mass shooting incident during liberty in San Diego, California.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical evaluation regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected PTSD and B Thalassemia minor contributed substantially or materially to his fatal motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea for further development due to the failure to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) considering additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further medical evaluation regarding whether PTSD and/or thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy caused or contributed to the Veteran's death in a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and denied service connection for hypertension, high cholesterol, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of the remaining issues.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to September 23, 2019 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The low back condition and broken nose claims were dismissed.,The Veteran had combat service in Vietnam, which is considered as proof of an in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a higher rating, but his claim for an increased rating is denied.