PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are granted service connection, as they are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The Veteran's PTSD is also granted service connection, with a rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling since May 10, 2005. A TDIU based on service-connected PTSD is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, adjustment disorder with depression), right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.,The Board found that there was no in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's lumbar spine or psychiatric disorders, and the diagnoses were not linked to service. For his right and left knee disabilities, the Board noted the absence of evidence showing onset during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examinations and a need for further development, including obtaining records from a non-VA provider and soliciting evidence of military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the primary cause of his drug and alcohol dependence, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition. An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to August 22, 2011, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left upper extremity nerve disorder, neck disorder, back disorder, left hip disorder, and left shoulder and arm disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for the neck disorder, left arm/elbow disorder, and left upper extremity nerve disorder (cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy). The remaining issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that his symptoms are linked to in-service stressors and he was diagnosed with PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss ratings have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for chronic sinusitis, but the appeal seeking service connection for tonsillar cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the left lymph node gland is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service incident that allegedly caused the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran must provide additional records from his service ship, USS KENNEBEC, to support his claim.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD. He also receives SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The symptoms described by the Veteran do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depression was denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, and the Board finds that his acquired psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD) is related to his military service. The rating for photophobia and tension headaches are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected major depression with PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is considered. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's cause of death, combined ethanol and Sertraline intoxication, is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, the Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.