PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and detached retina, right eye due to incomplete verification of a claimed stressor and need for medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date of May 19, 2019 for a 50 percent rating for PTSD as the proper effective date has already been assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as the evidence shows he can perform tasks consistent with his education and work history.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD and denied his claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities. The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD in 2011, but did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the assigned effective date. His knees were found to have degenerative joint disease without ankylosis or additional symptoms due to removal of semilunar cartilage, and instability without ankylosis or additional symptoms.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's work history and earnings, particularly regarding his employment status after retirement from federal employment. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The underlying claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining a clinical opinion on whether his sleep apnea may be caused or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the Veteran's symptoms not meeting the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and osteoporosis/osteopenia due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible evidence to support his claimed in-service stressors and thus not meeting the criteria for establishing service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that there was no clear evidence of a preexisting condition and concluding that any current psychiatric disabilities are not related to military service.

Your service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, insomnia and major depressive disorder has been granted. The rating assigned is 100% effective October 15, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder manifested by abdominal pain, as there is no evidence of such condition during or after service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The claim was remanded multiple times but the Veteran's current diagnosis of depression does not meet the criteria for any psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to unclear records not being obtained.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an eye disability, and COPD are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking his current symptoms to active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, and persistent depressive disorder. The examiner must assume that the Veteran’s reports of Scud missile attacks are credible.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and readjudication due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for clarification of certain issues.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for dysthymia with PTSD were denied due to the lack of evidence showing impairment in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking and mood.,The Veteran's claim was remanded for additional development regarding his low back disability.