PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to duty to assist errors. The case will be returned for the VA examiner to provide a rationale regarding whether the Veteran’s psychiatric disorders are related to service, including his reported stressors as a firefighter during military service.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 18, 2015 for service connection of PTSD. The claim was filed on that date and the formal claim was received within one year.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms are related to her military experiences and other trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder is remanded due to new evidence received since the last statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate reasons and bases in the September 2018 Board decision regarding effective dates. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reconsidered based on newly discovered service department records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent severe major depressive disorder with psychotic features and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on a VA-contracted psychiatrist's opinion linking the conditions to an in-service personal assault during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability and associated upper extremity conditions, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), are being remanded due to the need for further examination and development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation due to outstanding private treatment records and possible worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran is entitled to 10 months of Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits due to her service-connected adjustment disorder and PTSD, but no more. The appeal is denied as the law does not allow for additional months beyond what she has already been awarded.

The Veteran's asthma, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and headaches have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and there is sufficient evidence to support their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 11, 2018. Effective from July 11, 2018, the Veteran is in receipt of a 100% schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran’s migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent rating, and her right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, and psychosomatic symptoms), and hemorrhoids due to unresolved issues regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his PTSD disability ratings is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to his death. The case is referred back to the AOJ for substitution of claimant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for PTSD and granted service connection, but denied claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, and a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability were remanded. The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection for hypertension is August 1, 2017—the date of his claim.,The Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability and prostate disability should be remanded to afford the Veteran VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain outstanding records and address the absence of evidence in the Veteran’s STRs.,The Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for restless leg syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was remanded. The Board finds that remand is warranted to obtain an addendum opinion concerning the etiology of the Veteran’s PTSD.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for cataracts status post lens implants and dry eye syndrome was remanded. Remand is warranted to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.