PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, effective September 11, 2015. The appeal for an earlier effective date was denied as the award of service connection occurred on the day after separation from active duty.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD, hyperhidrosis, chronic pain, radiculopathy, spondylosis, and morbid obesity. The issue of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate under U.S.C. § 1114(s) is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and an additional VA examination is needed for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various mental health conditions due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran was receiving Supplemental Security Income from Social Security Administration, but VA did not attempt to obtain his SSA records.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's headaches are remanded due to incomplete examination, and his psychiatric disability claims (including PTSD) are also remanded as there is a need for additional development regarding stressor verification.

The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depressive disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence now shows that the Veteran engaged in combat and experienced stressors related to fear of hostile military activity, which supports a diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD, as well as his TDIU claim, have been granted. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 80%, meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected as it is related to his military experiences.

The Veteran's PTSD disability, which includes MDD and alcohol abuse, has been rated at 100 percent since March 5, 2012, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headache disorder, right trigeminal neuralgia, tinnitus, disfiguring and painful facial scars, and traumatic brain injury residuals, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for a higher disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction as a residual of gonorrhea is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is about her initial disability rating for service-connected schizophrenia (also claimed as PTSD) prior to May 4, 2016. The RO increased the rating from 10% to 50% effective May 4, 2016. She now appeals for a higher initial rating before that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as he has stated that it has worsened during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The VA needs to obtain a new medical opinion that addresses whether these conditions are related to service and if so, which specific stressors in Vietnam contributed to their development.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, major depressive disorder, psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility for treatment, and a higher initial rating for tinnitus are dismissed. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension and hemorrhoids have been rated appropriately. The Board has found that the Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum allowable rating for his hemorrhoids.,The Veteran’s left ankle disability, hydrocele, recurrent kidney stones, sleep apnea, COPD, and PTSD are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to knee braces, a manual wheelchair, diabetic shoes and inserts, and topical medication were denied. The decision grants payment of a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces used due to service-connected disabilities that wore out his clothing in 2017.