PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The evidence showed that the Veteran’s service-connected PTSD symptoms were relatively stable throughout the appeal period with no significant impairment in occupational or social functioning.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at a 70 percent disability rating since July 19, 2016. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the condition causes deficiencies in most areas of the Veteran’s life.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants an initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective from May 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially denied in March 2018, but the VA granted service connection on August 20, 2018. The Board found that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran had PTSD since his initial claim and thus grants an earlier effective date of November 27, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left shoulder disorder, both secondary to his right thumb disability. The Board found no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the pending service connection for PTSD. The Board instructed the AOJ to take action on this claim, but it has not been completed yet.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records, inadequate notice regarding personal assault claims, and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and an inconsistent opinion in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are being reviewed again for a fair decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions related to his military service has been denied. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the evaluation of existing disabilities.

The Veteran's treatment at SSVMC for pneumonia was not related to any service-connected disability or one that aggravated a service-connected condition, so payment or reimbursement is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his mental health condition.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, partial medial collateral ligament tear of the left knee, and tinnitus. His combined service-connected disability evaluation is 80 percent from July 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including a rating review for PTSD and an evaluation of TDIU. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has decided that the termination of nonservice-connected pension benefits effective February 1, 2008 was proper due to receipt of SSA benefits. The appeal for reopening the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD with dysthymia is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death from acute and chronic alcoholism, granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board found that none of his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death. The cause of death was determined to be end-stage liver disease due to Hepatitis C.