PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD, left eye pterygium, and latent tuberculosis are all rated at their current levels. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.

PTSD/anxiety was rated at 50 percent from September 11, 2012 to September 13, 2018 and increased to 70 percent effective November 7, 2019.,Left knee degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent from September 11, 2012 to July 24, 2013. Residuals of left knee replacement were rated at 60 percent effective November 27, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse has not caused total occupational and social impairment, so the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, ischemic heart disease, mantle cell cancer, diabetes mellitus with retinal involvement, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy. The remand also includes a request for verification of in-service stressors and Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, PTSD, gouty arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified joint pain, pre-diabetes, seborrheic keratosis (claimed as skin lesions), and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or a link to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate June 2018 VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorders related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left leg disability manifested by pain and swelling, PTSD, a skin condition, and a disability manifested by pain and swelling of the leg (characterized as cellulitis).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (prostate cancer residuals, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 30, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is granted. The TDIU claim is remanded as it requires an initial rating for the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependency is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective March 31, 2010. The Board affirms the earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities have not precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, but the TDIU claim was denied as it was part of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from April 24, 2009. The rating for lumbosacral strain with residuals remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder, but not for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 4, 2016 was characterized by reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, difficulties sleeping, startle response, agitation, marital distress, isolation, panic attacks, and restricted range of affect. The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD more nearly approximated a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal of higher initial disability ratings for bilateral pes planus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), hypertension, cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (claimed as hypertensive heart disease), tinea pedis of the right foot, tinea pedis of the left foot, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to GERD/gastritis), a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD/gastritis, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee are remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of higher initial disability ratings for bilateral pes planus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, has been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim and determined that there is a reasonable possibility that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.