PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

Effective from June 28, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and residuals of non-displaced fracture, left fifth finger mid-phalanx have been granted. Service connection for PTSD has also been established on this date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on his claims, including service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is restored to 70 percent effective June 1, 2015. Service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's death was due to a motor vehicle accident. The appellant filed an original claim for DIC benefits in early January 2014, which was denied by the RO. No communication regarding DIC benefits was received from the appellant until April 30, 2018, when she submitted new and material evidence supporting her claims of Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as contributing to death. The RO granted an effective date of April 30, 2018 for the award of DIC benefits based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to September 21, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if hepatitis C and PTSD are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to August 22, 2018 and remanded for further development due to insufficient information on his employability from that date forward.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, but the appeal is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression secondary to MST, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and compliance with the requirements of Gallegos v. Peake.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and residuals of STD due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional medical opinions.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from January 13, 2011 to March 10, 2011. A higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicide agents in service and for additional VA examinations.

Your claim for PTSD has been granted and you are now receiving a disability rating of 70 percent effective October 19, 2018. Your appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to uncertainty about the in-service stressor events. Additional evidence, including STRs and SPRs, needs to be obtained.

The Board has restored a 60 percent disability rating for ischemic heart disease and SMC at the housebound rate, effective May 1, 2016. The Veteran's IHD was previously reduced to 10 percent in February 2016 but has now been restored.

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 major depressive disorder. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current PTSD is related to his service. The Veteran served as a military policeman and guard in Vietnam, but there are no opinions linking his current diagnosis of PTSD to his service.