PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and considering evidence from sources other than her service records.

The Veteran's PTSD rating and TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for updated treatment records, a new examination, and submission of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and a need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his time on active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating (100 percent) due to PTSD prior to August 3, 2016 was denied as his admission to the CWT-TR program did not qualify as required hospital treatment under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and for providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding the relationship between his PTSD, hypertension, and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for readjudication due to new evidence and a need for an SSOC.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are rated at 70 percent from July 1, 2015. The Board has granted a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating, but no greater. The claim for TDIU is dismissed and the issue of an effective date prior to February 26, 2015, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been fully explained in his most recent VA examination, and therefore remanded for an addendum opinion. Additionally, a TDIU claim is pending as part of the PTSD evaluation request.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 25, 2008 for the award of service connection for PTSD with cognitive disorder. The case is remanded to consider a claim for increased evaluation and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating. A TDIU was granted prior to January 20, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for GERD and sleep apnea were reopened due to new evidence. His PTSD claim was denied, but he is not seeking a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70% disability rating. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, right knee condition, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and traumatic brain injury are all granted. The PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to October 2018 and 100 percent since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability under DSM-V criteria. The Veteran's previous diagnoses were not made under DSM-V.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of PTSD is granted. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, as well as the TDIU prior to October 22, 2018 are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cold injury residuals of the left and right feet was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for service connection for major depressive disorder reopened, granted, and assigned to a separate condition.,PTSD was denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for facial and lip lacerations was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for coronary artery disease status post heart attack is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum under applicable criteria.,Tinnitus remains at a 10 percent rating.,Bilateral hearing loss was initially noncompensable and now rated at 10 percent after January 14, 2019.,Low back disability is rated at 10 percent prior to October 28, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. Right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and PTSD, but granted the claim for an acquired psychological disorder (to include PTSD and major depressive disorder). The decision also noted that the Veteran is not entitled to benefits for his dishonorable period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, are related to her in-service military sexual trauma (MST), and thus service connection is granted.