PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The claim for PTSD was granted. The claims for Low Back Disorder and Right Hip Disorder are remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

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

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims due to Agent Orange exposure, a new examination for PTSD, and additional treatment records for hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his claim for Persistent Depressive Disorder was granted. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and rated at 70% from August 15, 2017. The rating is denied for an initial higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD with alcohol dependence is currently rated at 70 percent.,While the Veteran seeks an increased rating for his PTSD, the current rating of 70 percent adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his in-service stressor events and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of PTSD and right foot disability for further examination and opinion due to conflicting medical evidence and unaddressed theories of secondary service connection.

The Board has denied a higher rating for lumbar strain with degenerative disk disease and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder. The case is now being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol abuse resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating from May 25, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, psychiatric disability with sleep impairment (other than PTSD), left knee disability, and low back disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU effective from the date of his claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for an earlier effective date for left knee disability. The claims for service connection and initial rating for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for the VA to determine if extraschedular consideration of TDIU on an individual unemployability basis is warranted due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and a left tibia scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD is related to her service as an emergency medical technician, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD with night terrors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, specifically to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD prior to July 12, 2018. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for osteoporosis and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability since July 18, 2015 are denied. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for right knee flexion and extension prior to November 16, 2015 is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol abuse are being remanded for further evaluation, as his current rating of 70 percent is not sufficient to reflect the severity of his condition. Additionally, his TDIU claim has been raised in connection with this matter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 23, 2014 did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, due to his employment history and current physical limitations, he may be unemployable by reason of service-connected disability. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for updated VA treatment records and further investigation of a newly-reported in-service stressor.