PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his psychiatric conditions, hearing loss, vertigo, low back disorder, and fungal infection of the toes. The Board will provide a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal regarding increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking evidence from sources other than his service records to support his claim of military sexual trauma leading to PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he was granted a TDIU rating. The Board found that his PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a disability evaluation of 70 percent, effective June 14, 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted beginning on the same date.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected heart disability and acquired psychiatric disabilities.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person and/or at the housebound rate is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was received on September 30, 2009. The Board found that there were no prior claims or informal claims for PTSD before this date and denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting addendum opinions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim of CUE in a September 1989 rating decision denying entitlement to service connection for nervous condition (claimed as mental problems with flashbacks, nightmares and sleep difficulties) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted because there is a diagnosis of PTSD linked to verified stressors during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent rating for the period prior to September 13, 2013 and from September 13, 2013 to April 22, 2019. For the period starting April 23, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD was denied a rating in excess of 70 percent. The right knee disability was remanded for further examination and evaluation. The left knee disability had no assigned rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from October 20, 2016. The VA has granted the claim for a higher rating for PTSD but has not yet determined whether to grant service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) benefits claim requires additional evidence, including a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current symptomatology related to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain this information and associate it with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a VA examination and additional development of the record, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD due to MST, depression and anxiety, residuals of left knee chipped patella, and right knee condition are all granted as service connected.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective from November 7, 2015 to June 6, 2017. After that period, a rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.