PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including education in pursuit of a legal career, is remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The AOJ must ensure all relevant records are associated with the file and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit any additional evidence. A vocational rehabilitation evaluation should be conducted by a VRC who has not previously evaluated the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and uncorroborated stressor events. The Veteran's PTSD is being reviewed again, including consideration of service-related stressors and a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). The neck disability case is also being reviewed with consideration of continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his psychiatric disability and for a TDIU rating due to outstanding VA treatment records and further examination.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease, dementia, a psychiatric disorder other than dementia including PTSD and depression, and a back disorder due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for right hip and right knee disabilities due to their withdrawal. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressors.,The Board also found no causal connection between any diagnosed acquired mental disorders and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for additional Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not considered the principal cause of death, but the Board finds that it materially contributed to or hastened his death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records. The Veteran's daughter is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and PTSD have been rated from October 23, 2010 to January 2, 2013 at a 50 percent rating. From January 3, 2013 to February 19, 2019, the rating was increased to 70 percent. Since then, a higher rating in excess of 50 percent has been denied.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to inadequate VA medical opinions addressing the cumulative effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. A new opinion is needed.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew all remaining claims on appeal, including earlier effective dates for PTSD and tinnitus, service connection for atrial fibrillation, hypertension, a skin condition, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 12, 2019. The rating remains denied for periods prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating effective October 12, 2018.,An increased rating of 70% for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted effective January 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The issues include low back disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and headaches.