PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, right shoulder status postoperative labral tear repair, or tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits is remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The dental condition claim was denied, while other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and a 70 percent rating is denied. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in any prior final RO decision, and dismissed the freestanding earlier-effective-date claim.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since July 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of total occupational and social impairment, thus denying his claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw all pending appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The claims for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the Board not considering it in their March 2018 decision. The TDIU claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and heart disease, to include coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The conditions of neuritis, right foot (claimed as arthritis), left-foot arthritis, tinea versicolor, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, particularly his combat experience during deployment in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a depressive disorder, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased PTSD rating and TDIU due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by military sexual trauma (MST) during active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied it on the merits. The case is remanded to provide a VA examination and address the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation from January 1, 2013 through January 16, 2015. After that date, his symptoms were found to be insufficient to warrant a total disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records, specifically VA and private treatment records related to PTSD. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for these records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also remands the issues regarding right knee strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with left patella chip fracture, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with arthritis, and headaches.