PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD and Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to April 9, 2009, for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed because it is a freestanding claim that attempts to vitiate the finality of the July 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance from November 14, 2014. DEA benefits are also granted effective November 14, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and schizoaffective disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the current disability requirement for PTSD due to lack of a confirmed diagnosis. The Board also found insufficient evidence linking the acquired psychiatric disorder to service.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder NOS, and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, is being remanded due to inadequate development of the record. The Board requests additional medical opinions to address the etiology of these diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, reproductive disorder, headache disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, sciatica/radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and sciatica/radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating increase for tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to incomplete medical opinions. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional VA examination and evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD claim, which was reopened on new evidence. The focus is on whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for low back and right hand disabilities are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on unemployability prior to October 23, 2018 was dismissed due to her failure to submit an updated VA Form 21-8940 within one year of the request.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chest pain is denied. The initial rating of 70% for PTSD prior to June 19, 2019, and the rating in excess of 70% since that date for PTSD are both denied. The initial rating in excess of 20% for left shoulder arthritis prior to December 3, 2014, is denied. A rating of 20% for left shoulder arthritis from December 3, 2014, to September 19, 2019, is granted subject to the law and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits. The rating in excess of 20% since September 20, 2019, for degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine is denied. The grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 28, 2014, is also denied. The claim for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, which is the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available rating. The Veteran also received a grant for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, kidney condition (including kidney stones), and mental health condition (PTSD) due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional evidence is needed from private medical providers and a new opinion is required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, previously claimed as PTSD and depression, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by a stressor during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD was denied by the Board, as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.