PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 18, 2014. The initial compensable disability ratings for his scar and TBI are granted. His right shoulder and left shoulder degenerative changes are each rated as non-compensable. His right ankle sprain and left ankle sprain are both remanded.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in 2012 due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The case is now reopened, and a new examination is required to determine if any current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD in the record. The claim is also remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of squamous cell carcinoma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD; right and left foot disabilities; bilateral hearing loss; and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete treatment records, outdated examinations, and the need for a VA examination for PTSD. The claims will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on the Veteran's subjective accounts of his disability impact and objective evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for PTSD with depressive disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support such a determination prior to June 8, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of the record, including obtaining any outstanding medical records. The issues of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be the primary cause of his current sleep apnea, and he is granted service connection for this condition as secondary to his PTSD.

The Board dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's previously denied service connection petitions and rating requests, including those for bilateral hearing loss, Grave's disease, diabetes mellitus, left knee injury status post meniscectomy, right knee strain, PTSD, and an earlier effective date for right knee strain.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the prior remand directives and requires additional development for a psychiatric disability claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss require additional examinations to assess current symptoms, severity, and functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate reasons and bases provided in the previous decision regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's depressive symptoms may be secondary to her service-connected gynecological condition, and VA medical opinions are needed to address whether any of her current non-PTSD psychiatric disabilities are directly related to incidents during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his psychiatric disorder has been dismissed because he withdrew the appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling new examinations for PTSD and back disability. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his symptoms and provide updated information about them throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was restored from 50% to 70%, effective June 1, 2015. The reduction in the rating was not proper due to a lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.