PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED as directed. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disorder are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as his claim for TDIU due to lack of evidence linking any diagnosed condition to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as his service-connected disabilities have required him to rely heavily on his wife for assistance with daily activities. The issue of entitlement to SMC on account of being housebound is moot due to the grant of SMC for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her military sexual assault during service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee strain, effective date of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, TBI, cognitive disorder and TBI headaches, and evaluation for PTSD, major depressive disorder, TBI, cognitive disorder and TBI headaches due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in the prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head trauma and PTSD have been successfully reopened, and both conditions are now considered well-grounded. The remaining issues related to the lumbar spine, neurological condition, right knee, thoracic rib area, hip conditions, hearing loss, heart condition/murmur, and high blood pressure remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% and he has other disabilities that combine to over 60%, allowing him to receive special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate starting from January 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed under a new framework.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, with the condition being directly related to her experiences during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, as her current diagnosis aligns with the DSM-5 criteria and she has credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted, with the condition being directly related to her experiences during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified neurocognitive disorder renders him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the lower rate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board will seek an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran’s claimed military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims due to new VA treatment records and examination reports being added to the record after an August 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his reported in-service stressors are verified and whether any diagnosed psychiatric conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and anxiety disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU prior to May 12, 2013 was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 9, 2010. The Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD and remanded the TDIU claim.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from July 22, 2016 onward. The decision is based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating of 100 percent due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.