PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, and a new Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, right ankle injury residuals, DMII, CTS, and a noncompensable wrist scar, have precluded him from securing or following substantial gainful employment since January 1, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the remaining issues due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his stroke residuals, PTSD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was granted, effective January 26, 2007. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, an eye disorder, and loss of sensation in the feet and fingers.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service in Bosnia and that he experienced actual or threatened death or serious injury. The other claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety, Depressed Mood, and TBI was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being consistent with a 70 percent disability rating. For the TDIU claim prior to July 1, 2018, the appeal was also denied as there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI symptoms are contemplated in the current ratings, with no separate rating for TBI prior to February 3, 2020. The criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was restored to 50 percent effective June 1, 2018. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective November 1, 2013. The issue of entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to January 20, 2016 is remanded for further clarification of the Veteran's income.

The Board has restored a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD from April 27, 2015 to January 29, 2016 and granted TDIU prior to September 25, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg varicose veins has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD, is remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 15, 1989 for his PTSD rating because the matter had been adjudicated in a previous final decision and no CUE claim was filed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, has been dismissed due to the death of the claimant.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since January 10, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and denied TDIU based on the current level of disability.