PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tinnitus, but granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective from August 30, 2017. The appeal regarding sleep apnea was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent evaluation, which reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, back disability, and PTSD. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence for BHL and the absence of diagnosed disabilities in other areas.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and missing VA and SSA records. The Veteran needs a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has PTSD, other psychiatric disorders, and whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all remaining issues through an Appeals Satisfaction Notice submitted in July 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence received. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for DEA under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, based on a P&T rating has been resolved by the grant of such benefit by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The appeal is dismissed as there remains no justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board has decided to remand both her increased rating claim for PTSD and her TDIU claim due to lack of proper notification regarding a scheduled VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The issues were not related to service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 50% from March 22, 2000, to May 18, 2004. The symptoms were noted as occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The TDIU claim is deferred until the service connection issue is resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to inability to verify PTSD stressors and lack of etiological opinions for major depressive disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and he is granted a total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The right knee condition claim is denied. A total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to PTSD is granted, effective February 1, 2016.