PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, effective October 24, 2019.,A TDIU was granted from December 21, 2005.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to warrant re-adjudicating the claim for service connection of HIV. The earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as there is no clear and unmistakable error in the July 2017 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) as there was no valid diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV or DSM-V criteria, and the Veteran's contentions were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claims of right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis (claimed as lower back), and squamous cell carcinoma involving the face.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for MDD with PTSD was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for ECD and TDIU due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, reflecting significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, due to the lack of evidence establishing a diagnosis or link between these disorders and service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea, which is claimed to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, has been remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, which included depression, were found to be productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent was not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective October 24, 2019. The initial rating for PTSD prior to that date remains denied. A TDIU is granted from the date of hearing but not on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a low back disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced traumatic events during service, which led to his current diagnoses of PTSD and a low back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, right ankle and knee disabilities, and prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder) due to incomplete development. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from VA and private providers.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in September 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, as well as hepatitis C. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating or an earlier effective date has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and incomplete information. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if his major depressive disorder and PTSD are related to service. Additionally, records from SSA and complete unit of assignment details need to be obtained.

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

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any such condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and he seeks a higher rating. His TDIU claim is also pending. The Board has ordered remanded both issues due to the need for new VA examinations.