PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, but has remanded the issues of increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear opinions and need for a new examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of diabetes mellitus type II and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder and PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of initial disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities remain in appellate status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no current diagnosis of such disorder during the pendency of his claim and the record does not contain a recent diagnosis prior to filing.

The Board has remanded the claims for respiratory disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder due to duty-to-assist errors, specifically failing to provide VA examinations as scheduled. The Veteran did not attend the scheduled VA examinations in October 2019.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date of August 20, 2016, but not earlier, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for cervical and back disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinions regarding all acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the April 2019 rating decision because the appellant has already received the correct amount of attorney fees, and the Veteran was paid the full amount withheld based on an Audit Error Worksheet.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of non-rapid eye movement sleep arousal disorder, sleep walking type with nightmare disorder, PTSD, and unspecified anxiety disorder for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective January 10, 2020. The Board found the evidence supported a higher rating due to symptoms including depression, anxiety, and unprovoked irritability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and anxious mood has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board granted a 70 percent rating based on her suicidal ideation and other symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, with the severity of his symptoms approximating a 50 percent rating. The Board found that he did not have occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is entitled to attorney fees based on the total amount of past-due benefits awarded in the March 2019 rating decision, prior to any reduction due to incarceration.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during the pendency of this claim, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a skin disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left elbow dislocation with arthritis and limitation of supination/pronation of the left forearm have also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 50% effective January 31, 2011. Other service-connected conditions were not granted increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, finding that the Veteran's consistent and credible lay statements, combined with his military and medical records, place the evidence in equipoise as to whether he experienced the death of a shipmate during service. The VA examiner concluded it was at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s currently diagnosed PTSD was due to his naval service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for chilblains, Reynaud’s disease, and PTSD. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected major depression.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only at 80 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements. The claim was denied due to the Veteran's failure to complete necessary forms and provide information regarding his employment history.