PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of exposure to herbicides has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied service connection for dysthymic disorder and PTSD due to lack of evidence of an in-service event or incurrence, as well as a nexus between the current diagnoses and any mental health condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition.,The Board denied entitlement to TDIU as the Veteran has maintained full-time employment throughout the appeal period.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disorder and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The VA examiner is required to provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding service records. The claims will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, should be remanded due to insufficient information provided by the Veteran regarding a reported in-service stressor. The VA needs to attempt to corroborate the Veteran’s claimed stressor involving a fellow Marine who was injured during boot camp at Parris Island.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current symptoms and severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, hearing loss in the left ear, GERD, and skin rash (groin) are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of an in-service stressor related to military sexual trauma (MST) and for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy with cataracts and bilateral macular degeneration, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including near-continuous depression, suicidal ideation, intermittent neglect of personal hygiene, flattened affect, abnormal speech patterns, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish or maintain effective relationships. The Board found a 70 percent disability rating since September 5, 2017, adequately reflects the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), secondary to his service-connected Parkinson’s disease. The decision is based on the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss and neurological conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to August 14, 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements and that there was no evidence of unemployability due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include generalized anxiety disorder), and PTSD due to additional evidentiary development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's in-service stressors need to be verified, and a new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of her psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's initial claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and migraines were denied. The Board found that the current ratings assigned did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for higher evaluations due to the severity of his symptoms. Service connection for a low back disorder was remanded.