PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and his account of events during military service was inconsistent with the circumstances of his service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to in-service stressors, and the Board finds that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to military sexual trauma, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's DIC benefits were correctly calculated and paid, but the appellant is not entitled to additional compensation as her husband was only rated at 100% for less than eight years prior to his death.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for tinea versicolor prior to March 22, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. His lumbar spine and right knee conditions, as well as his sinusitis and irritable bowel syndrome are denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or relationship.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to January 17, 2012 and denied for higher ratings. The effective date of TDIU was granted on January 17, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder including depression and anxiety due to insufficient examination reports and lack of medical opinions on service connection.

The Veteran's effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is denied as the disability was not considered permanent until October 6, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which is an intermediate step between a service-connected disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the presence of other diagnosed psychiatric disorders, and a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, was not present in service and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is denied as it is based on the same factual basis as his previously denied head injury claim. The claim to reopen this issue has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with a 10% rating over the entire appeal period.,Service connection for duodenal ulcer disease with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted at a 20% rating over the entire appeal period. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is remanded as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence indicating its onset during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted. For the left knee disability, a separate rating of 20 percent and a 10 percent rating were assigned. For PTSD, a rating of 70 percent was granted effective prior to January 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD and a compensable rating prior to July 7, 2011, and to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran should be provided with updated examinations and the requested development must be completed.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to reverse or revise the May 11, 2006 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD on the basis of clear and mistakable error (CUE). The Board found that there was no CUE in the May 2006 RO denial because the record did not include a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on this need.

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary and procedural development, including obtaining SSA medical records related to the Veteran's PTSD disability rating claim. The effective date of benefits may be impacted by the outcome of these claims.