PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found no medical nexus between the Veteran’s current psychiatric disability and his military service, and determined that he is not unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 26, 2012 forward is granted. The effective date of the increased rating is March 7, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 50 percent rating for migraines is granted. The Veteran also has other service-connected conditions, but the appeal does not address their effective dates or whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and mild dementia, were not shown in service or related to service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, leg scars, and knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to potential outstanding private treatment records that could provide additional information on whether the Veteran met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD prior to April 27, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent effective December 22, 2014. Prior to this date, the rating was 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and conflicting diagnoses. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a sleep disorder is being reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to February 3, 2006 was remanded due to the failure of VA to refer his case to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in July 2019 is inadequate to determine if the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are related to her military service. The claims for PTSD and bipolar disorder are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Agent Orange exposure, GERD, gout, and left and right knee disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted effective April 30, 2015. A 50% disability rating has also been assigned for PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy. The remaining claims for hearing loss, anemia, bleeding ulcer, heart condition, PTSD, hypertension, and TDIU are also pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD due to a lack of notification regarding an in-service personal assault and because the Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination to address his service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new VA treatment records that contain relevant evidence for consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent effective July 24, 2012. The claim for service connection of ischemic heart disease has been stayed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 7, 2017 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his claimed psychiatric disability was caused by or incurred during active duty service.

The Board has decided that a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety. The examiner should assess whether these conditions are related to service.