PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as increased ratings for right shoulder traumatic bursitis and lumbosacral disc disease. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent from November 30, 2011 to March 12, 2019 and 70 percent since March 12, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms warranted a higher rating of 70 percent since March 12, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disorder and PTSD with other specified depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology or causation, and the rating assigned was appropriate given her current level of impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues and for a new examination of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it was caused by an in-service event. The claim for secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea to include as secondary to PTSD with anxiety and depression is remanded.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is seeking accrued benefits for conditions he had previously filed claims for, but the RO must adjudicate these claims before a determination as to accrued benefits may be offered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD was incurred during active service in the United States Navy, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU due to issues with the evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has not manifested with occupational and social impairment that would warrant a higher rating. The Board finds the current 30 percent disability rating appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms have approximated a disability picture characterized by no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on an in-service assault, finding that his discharge was due to willful and persistent misconduct. The Board also found that he did not meet the definition of insanity at the time of his misconduct.

The Board has decided to remand the case for obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling an additional examination due to possible worsening of symptoms. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions due to lack of current diagnosis and no causal link to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for initial higher ratings for PTSD, evaluated as 30 percent disabling prior to August 30, 2016 and 70 percent disabling from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 11, 2017. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. The claim for PTSD is denied, and the claims for residuals of a left shoulder injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and that any diagnosed conditions were not related to military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury, an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and an increased compensable rating from January 29, 2014 and continuing thereafter for status-post right inguinal hernia repair has been dismissed.,An initial rating of 70 percent from January 29, 2014 and continuing thereafter for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination to address the etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.