PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unclear severity and manifestations of his service-connected PTSD and Cognitive Disorder, requiring additional VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded other claims due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating and earlier effective date for other specified trauma and stress related disorder (claimed as PTSD) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, with his symptoms more closely approximating those of a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's claim to reopen his bilateral hearing loss claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is reopened due to the receipt of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted in part as it relates to the reopening of this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 28, 2010. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a rating increase for chronic lumbar strain due to insufficient evidence in their original decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's reported stressor and his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The reduction from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was improper, and the 10 percent rating is restored. The issue of service connection for PTSD and entitlement to a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental health condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent for choroidal neovascularization of the right eye is granted prior to May 13, 2018. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 60 percent for choroidal neovascularization of the right eye is granted from May 13, 2018. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to March 3, 2016 and from that date has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the DIC claim is inextricably intertwined with other claims and thus must be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD with depressive disorder, so the case is dismissed.

For the initial rating period on appeal from January 12, 2012 to October 23, 2018, a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,For the initial rating period on appeal from January 12, 2012, a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The TDIU prior to October 23, 2018 issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his current 30 percent rating is maintained.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating for hypertension and PTSD, as well as the effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the Veteran's housing instability. The SSOC must consider all evidence obtained after the December 2018 SOC.