PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD and depression, will be evaluated again.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will be asked to determine if the Veteran has PTSD and its likely etiology, as well as whether any other current mental disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to February 20, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD, whether it is related to service, and if any other acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder NOS) was incurred in or is otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, and the earlier effective date request for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of August 28, 2003. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of August 13, 2004. Service connection for insomnia was denied.,Issues related to headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and TDIU are still pending and need further review.

The Board denied reopening of previously denied claims for heart condition, PTSD, and sleep apnea/sleeping disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the April 2011 rating decision that granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation was denied due to failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 17, 2012. The rating is granted as the disability causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and PTSD due to new evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and because the Veteran's claim for reopening the major depressive disorder claim is still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for substance abuse secondary to unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder (also considered as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder) due to a need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. Service connection is also established for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities.

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD and remanded the claims for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the final denial.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were denied. The reduction of the right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy rating was not proper, and a restoration to a 20% rating is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its previous decision, requiring a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary before the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and eligibility for treatment pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1702 can be decided.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), PTSD, and low back disability due to unresolved issues.,Service connection was denied for TMJ joint dysfunction, left mandible, status post fracture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The Board found credible evidence that the Veteran witnessed a helicopter crash on his ship, which supports his claim of in-service stressors leading to PTSD. Service connection is also granted for a lung breathing disability. However, the issue of bilateral shoulder disability remains unresolved as there is insufficient medical evidence to establish its relationship with service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation than the current 50 percent rating.