PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for depression has been granted. The Board has also remanded the case due to the need for further development and examination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including verification of in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being considered secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and post-traumatic stress disorder due to inadequate examination opinions and lack of treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent effective February 26, 2014. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD and OSA have been granted, with specific ratings and effective dates. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his OSA but not an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify a reported in-service stressor and for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral lower sensory neuropathy, and onychomycosis have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria warranting higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the evaluation of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is related to his reported stressors during service, including fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,For diabetes mellitus, the Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board determined a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of PTSD, TBI, and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD prior to December 2, 2014 was denied. The Veteran's PTSD on and after December 2, 2014 is rated at 50 percent. Service connection for CAD and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for alcohol and drug use disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorders due to unclear examination reports, lack of stressor verification, and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 30, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD. The claim was received by VA on that date and a formal application for service connection was submitted.

The Veteran's application for S-DVI was denied because he did not apply within two years of his last service connection award, and there is no evidence of mental incompetence to extend the time limit.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to her assertion of worsening symptoms and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran’s restrictive pulmonary tuberculosis or genitourinary tuberculosis caused or aggravated any of his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

From February 19, 2013 to October 14, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms and overall impairment have more nearly approximated deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. A rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted.,After October 15, 2014, a higher rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.