PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has not yet adjudicated the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The issue is being remanded to allow for appropriate consideration.,A bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been previously denied, but are now reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral foot disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), and a disability manifested as head pain.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's PTSD, left shoulder disability, left knee degenerative arthritis, epidermal cyst, and lichen simplex chronicus due to potential worsening of symptoms. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding her claimed MST and a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal as the full benefit sought on appeal (TDIU) was granted in a June 2019 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and instead has schizoaffective disorder.

A 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD prior to April 12, 2019. A 50 percent rating is assigned for the period after April 12, 2019.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's Hepatitis C is rated at 20 percent disabling for the entire period on appeal. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition due to service-connected Hepatitis C is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim for tinnitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claims for a sleep disorder, psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder), and tension headaches were all denied based on insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected post-concussion syndrome other than headaches, chronic heartburn, and restrictive lung disease (post-traumatic stress disorder) have been granted. The Veteran's service connection for post-concussion migraine headaches has also been granted. However, the Veteran's service connection claim for sinus disability remains pending.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for home loan guaranty benefits due to his bad conduct discharge, finding that it was under dishonorable conditions and constituted willful and persistent misconduct. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities (to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and a panic disorder) due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, was denied.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claims for alcohol abuse, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The case will be remanded for further review of this new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to the submission of private treatment records. The VA will obtain these records and readjudicate the cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, undiagnosed illness with chronic diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome), tinnitus, and hearing loss, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and headaches. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, drug dependency, and alcoholism, are related to in-service head trauma.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the entire period, with a schedular rating of 70% effective July 18, 2017. The decision is based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The case needs further examination and development of stressor events.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and his previously denied claims for right hip and right thigh disabilities are reopened. The Board finds that new evidence supports reopening these claims but remands the cases to determine the nature and etiology of current right hip and right thigh disabilities.