PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need to verify the Veteran's National Guard service and obtain any associated examination reports and treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher, and his overall level of impairment was best described as the criteria for 30 percent disabling. The Board denied entitlement to an initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD and denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 1, 2017 for the awards of service connection for bilateral eye vitreous opacities, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 18, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU from the same date.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for special monthly compensation and Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as the date entitlement arose was January 22, 2014.

All issues related to service connection are remanded. The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor disorder is rated 70% throughout the appeal period, but COPD, hernia, and aortic aneurysm claims remain unresolved.,The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the remaining service connection issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher PTSD rating and TDIU due to insufficient recent medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for reopening of the PTSD claim has been granted. The claims for hypertension and nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) have also been granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. Other claims, including those related to hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, right knee disability, and brain lesions, are being remanded due to incomplete examinations or opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol and cannabis use disorder has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims of entitlement to service connection for a left foot disorder, a right foot disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating as of March 29, 2016. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 70% has been denied. Entitlement to TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the current nature and severity of his condition, including its impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor and the need for a VA examination to address his service connection claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the criteria for a TDIU and he is still capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 11, 2015 to November 14, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms included occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, panic disorder and anxiety, are granted service connection. The earlier effective date for migraine headaches is denied.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are now considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were denied because she did not complete the first objective of her Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) and consistently failed to cooperate with her Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). Her case was placed in 'discontinued' status.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied, and his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.