PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection is granted for PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and an in-service stressor, but remands for further examination to determine if vertigo and hypertension are related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's request to reopen his finally denied claim of PTSD is granted. The Board has decided that the issue of service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from May 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for TBI and to reopen claims of PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and lumbar spine DJD has been dismissed due to his death before a decision was made.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, alcohol abuse, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Board found no direct evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's VA disability benefits were reduced due to the recoupment of her separation pay. The appeal is denied as the law requires the recouping of separation pay from VA disability compensation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to new evidence received, which may impact the outcome of both PTSD rating and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder was rated at 50% disabling from July 27, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and granted TDIU prior to June 24, 2013.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 is currently rated at 40 percent, and his diabetic retinopathy and cataracts are rated at 30 percent from April 3, 2019. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 50 percent rating since April 3, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted. Additionally, the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The appeal is remanded due to a need for a VA compensation examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for PTSD and TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD, alcohol abuse, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder is granted due to the presence of a current diagnosis based on in-service stressors.

An effective date of September 25, 2013, but not earlier, for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD and liver transplant claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence, while the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits is being remanded due to changes in his circumstances and the need for a functional capacity evaluation considering his service-connected disabilities.