PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting diagnoses and inconsistencies in the Veteran's account of his service experiences, particularly regarding PTSD. The case will be returned for further development including a new VA stressor statement, determination of service dates, and a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of PTSD prior to January 24, 2017.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and schizophrenia, but has remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his schizophrenia.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, and her epilepsy remains at a 40 percent rating. The gastric ulcer claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of May 20, 1993.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected sleep apnea. The Board finds that the evidence of record is insufficient to address the Veteran’s contention that his sleep apnea warrants higher than a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of right ear surgery with chronic ear infection is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic sleep impairment) is also denied. The VA examiner found the Veteran does not have any diagnosed mental disorder.,The skin condition claim due to herbicide exposure remains pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's cause of death, suicide due to intoxication by Tramadol, is not considered service-connected. The claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits greater than $300.00 is also denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s death to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is related to service and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type (to include PTSD and depression) is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's military service and potential aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding whether the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans engaged shore targets in Vietnam during the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is also granted service connection for anxiety. The claims for tinnitus, right hand tendonitis, left hand tendonitis, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and plantar fasciitis of the right foot are denied.

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Schizophrenia, Disorganized Type as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation due to his overall severe impairment from multiple non-service-connected medical conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the decision favoring the Veteran.,Service connection for PTSD with MDD is granted at a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating in excess of this. The claim for TDIU based on PTSD has also been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling as of June 15, 2018, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not reflect the severity of his symptoms and denies an increased rating.

The Veteran's petition for re-adjudication of his claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than December 17, 2018 for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.