PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, 70 percent for PTSD, and 60 percent for ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine have been withdrawn. The Board has no further jurisdiction with respect to these claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of IBS has been granted. The Board also remanded several other issues, including the increased rating for lumbar strain and the effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is now pending again with further development required.

The Veteran's PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection, with a rating of 70% for PTSD beginning November 12, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring a VA examination and opinion regarding whether PTSD is caused or etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection of PTSD was denied in November 2006. The claim was reopened and denied again in September 2013, but the Veteran did not appeal either decision. The Board found that the Veteran abandoned his April 2006 claim due to his failure to provide a reliable address to VA. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection is October 7, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the restoration of a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The hearing loss claim will be addressed with a new VA examination, the PTSD claim will require a VA psychiatric examination, and the gastritis claim requires an updated VA examination focusing on all underlying conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine disability are each granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (claimed as leukemia) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's periods of AWOL were due to PTSD as a result of an in-service helicopter crash, which constitutes compelling circumstances to warrant the Veteran’s unauthorized absences. Therefore, the character of the Veteran’s discharge from service is not a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since January 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will need additional opinions regarding whether the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to August 8, 2018, that was related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety with symptoms of PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that it is caused by or related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a lumbar spine disability, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and service connection for erectile dysfunction disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating from November 7, 2010. The ratings for low back strain and left knee strain with scar remain denied.