PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric condition to include depression were denied. The claim for increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches with migraine features associated with traumatic brain injury are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,Prior to August 14, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated at less than 10 percent. After that date, it is rated at 50 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD since August 14, 2017 has been found to have symptoms approximating occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, but has remanded several issues including service connection for a skin condition (claimed as eczema/folliculitis) and residuals of right hand fracture. The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has found that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The issue of TDIU was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on direct basis were denied. The rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 28, 1980 for the award of service connection for PTSD on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a March 1981 rating decision. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from SSA, OPM, VA Medical Centers, and private sources.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to March 14, 2016 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for narcolepsy and cataplexy remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted and the case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claims are being returned for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD throughout the period on appeal, including whether his service-connected PTSD encompasses polysubstance abuse. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD increased rating claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The claims for PTSD and cervical degenerative joint disease are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability evaluation for PTSD effective May 29, 2012. The Veteran's earlier claim was found to have arisen prior to the date of his letter requesting an increase in rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent from June 1, 2016 and 70 percent prior to that date. The rating was granted as the symptoms more closely approximate a 50 or 70 percent disability rating.