PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since the effective date of January 26, 2001. The Board found that his symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a cervical spine disorder as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or injury, respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to service, and granted service connection. The claims for PTSD and low back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for right knee instability is denied as the evidence does not more nearly approximate moderate recurrent instability or subluxation. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disability is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. A 70 percent disability rating has been assigned for PTSD, effective from December 17, 2014, the date of his claim to reopen. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was dismissed. The claim to reopen service connection for sleep apnea was granted, and the Veteran is now entitled to a 70% rating for PTSD from October 23, 2009 to February 21, 2017.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been reopened. Service connection is granted for the acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD). Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and unspecified bipolar disorder, are etiologically related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 70 percent since January 28, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 22, 2011. From that date forward, he met the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to July 30, 2019 and as 70 percent thereafter. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disability.

The Board has decided that the grant of service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and service connection was properly severed. The case is now remanded to determine if the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, and foot/ankle/hip conditions related to Gulf War service are being remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and alcohol abuse due to a lack of VA examination since September 2015. The Veteran will be afforded another opportunity to attend a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for further evaluation of certain issues.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD ratings is dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for PTSD with secondary substance related disorder is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and consideration of his VA treatment records. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be impacted by the PTSD claim.