PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding Vet Center counseling records and other treatment records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to March 28, 2008 for PTSD service connection, a higher disability rating for PTSD, and TDIU prior to October 23, 2015 are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left shoulder disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining issues associated with the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and IBS as they were not fully adjudicated in the previous decisions. The Veteran will need to provide VA treatment records from June 2020 onwards, and a new VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his service-connected IBS.

The Veteran's PTSD with Opioid Use Disorder was granted a 100% rating effective April 7, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran has struggled with opioid abuse related to his service-connected PTSD and could not function outside of a structured environment since filing his claim.

The decision denies additional attorney fees as a result of past due benefits awarded in the November 24, 2014 rating decision for service connection for PTSD, scar of the cervical spine, and tension headaches, along with grants of SMC-HB and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability and TDIU was denied. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left shoulder disability, as flexion and abduction were limited to 90 degrees, which does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201. For TDIU, since no single service-connected disability is rated at least 40%, the schedular threshold requirement for TDIU was not met.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the rating of PTSD prior to February 7, 2020 and on or after that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in medical evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to new evidence and worsening symptoms since the last examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for TBI and PTSD remains denied, while the claims for left knee and ankle disabilities are remanded.,PTSD rating in excess of 70 percent is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to his military service.

The Board has decided that a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD is warranted and has ordered additional development to ensure an accurate assessment of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and his nose injury residuals are unrelated to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s cervical spine (neck) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s lumbar spine (low back) disability is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s rheumatoid arthritis is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of acute febrile illness, and his left lower extremity scarring due to MRSA infection is not related to service.,The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran’s sleep disability (OSA and chronic insomnia) is subsumed under his service-connected PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a neck injury, including cervical strain, and psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, are not granted. The case is being remanded due to inadequate notice regarding personal assault stressor claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased rating for PTSD, service connection for a skin disorder other than tinea pedis, and TDIU. The effective date for the increased rating of PTSD remains under review.

The Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is found to be due to in-service stressors, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 50 percent, as the Veteran had many symptoms of PTSD but no deficiencies in most areas such as work or social functioning.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, and a skin disability need further development due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.