PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors for PTSD. Further development is needed, including verifying alleged incidents and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a higher rating of PTSD is denied.,Service connection for chronic nose bleeds and right shoulder injury are both denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, lumbar spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of in-service aggravation or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were all denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and radiculopathy were also denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen her sleep apnea claim is granted, and she is entitled to an effective date prior to October 31, 2015 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of her sleep apnea and to assess the current severity of her PTSD, cluster headaches, right foot heel spur, left ankle sprain with heel spurs, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet is granted. The Board has remanded the issues of initial evaluation for tension headaches, PTSD with TBI, and total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and spine disability have been rated at the maximum available ratings, with no further increase granted.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for schizophrenia, PTSD, and depressive reaction due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50% rating prior to January 11, 2019, and a 70% rating thereafter. The Veteran's hypertension claim has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are granted a 70 percent rating, effective February 26, 2019. Other issues remain on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to failure to consider a worsening of the appellant's PTSD since his last VA examination and to address whether the duty to assist was met with regards to translations of documents from Spanish to English. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent disability evaluation prior to May 24, 2016. A TDIU is granted prior to May 9, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, cervical spine disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have collectively prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD, sleep apnea, enlarged liver disability, erectile dysfunction, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to incomplete development and lack of corroboration of in-service stressor.

The Veteran was previously service-connected for PTSD and now has atrial fibrillation. The Board denied TDIU from May 21, 2019 to June 24, 2019 but granted it prior to that date and after that date due to the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and migraines due to incomplete or inconsistent medical opinions in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The veteran's PTSD is now considered a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of depressive reaction, posttraumatic stress disorder, and pancreatitis are being remanded. The effective dates for the SMC ratings based on loss of use of both hands and need for aid and attendance have been denied.