PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder from May 25, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and migraine headaches were denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for fracture of left ankle with degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection and rated at 50 percent. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were also granted.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for a scar on the abdomen was denied, and his small bowel obstruction was granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD was denied an increased disability rating higher than 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to pending claims that will be appealed. The adjudication of the SMC claim is deferred until further development on the pending claims has been undertaken, including a VA examination for housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from a private therapist and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed PTSD.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination and medical opinion regarding the appellant's mental state during service, as well as his insanity claim due to the January 1974 gunshot wound.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder; and for a cardiovascular condition, including hypertension. The claims are being remanded to provide proper notice regarding personal assault claims and to obtain new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic chest pathology, PTSD, and poor circulation. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorders was not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the effective dates cannot be prior to his discharge from service on August 6, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and readjudication of the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's military experience in Vietnam led to current symptoms of PTSD. The effective date remains pending as further clarification is needed regarding the dates of incarceration and conviction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 3, 2012. The Board granted his claim for TDIU effective from April 2, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current diagnosis and etiology of any psychiatric disorder found to be present.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since July 19, 2017. The rating remains granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% prior to July 11, 2014, and the Board denied a higher rating. The appeal for an increased rating after July 11, 2014, was also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of February 28, 2012. The decision was based on the fact that the Veteran stopped working due to service-connected disabilities starting from this date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the left shoulder disability, as it did not show limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level. For the total disability rating claim, the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, and there was no indication that his service-connected conditions prevented him from securing and following a gainful occupation.