PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating effective July 3, 2018. The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating from August 3, 2016 and denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent from August 17, 2015. A compensable rating (10%) is granted for TBI.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, are both denied as there is no evidence to support a current diagnosis or a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an increased evaluation for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection, and concluded that the Veteran’s current disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any tinnitus and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (l) level based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities from April 19, 2007, to March 19, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a TDIU claim. The Board finds the severity of his bipolar disorder does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and compensable evaluations for various scars, as well as service connection for sleep apnea and a back disorder. The issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the back disability and radiculopathy claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to the lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records after the August 2018 SOC.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his reported stressors are consistent with his service and related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Board finds that the Veteran's lay testimony alone establishes the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse due to insufficient reasons and bases in the previous decision. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is an even balance of evidence supporting this determination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for being housebound prior to February 4, 2013 is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a single permanent disability rated at 100% or meet the criteria of being permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and a causal relationship between the symptoms and the claimed stressors.