PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining any missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and exposure to herbicide agents. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder and gastritis were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims.,New evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the possibility of outstanding VA treatment records related to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of PTSD was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.,The earlier effective date claim for PTSD was also denied because there is no evidence that the increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the Veteran's application. The effective date for the 70% PTSD rating remains March 21, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of Erectile Dysfunction was denied as he did not have deformity of his penis, which is required for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7599-7522.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Afghanistan, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, due to a lack of current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The decision found that there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral knee condition, and the symptoms associated with PTSD do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from May 4, 2010 to March 28, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating was denied prior to this period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and PTSD due to the Veteran's failure to attend previously scheduled VA examinations. The case is being returned to obtain new examination results.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to higher ratings for PTSD and right clavicle fracture residuals, as well as service connection for various disabilities. The effective date of the TDIU award is still under review.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The fracture of the fifth right toe remains at a non-compensable rating. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,The Veteran has withdrawn all issues except for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, neck disability, sleep disability, and hypertension.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since September 2013, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD. Effective September 13, 2013, the Veteran also had other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, qualifying him for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, specifically the Veteran's OPM disability retirement records. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered with these records.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD has been denied. The earlier effective date and TDIU issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for further development. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted with an effective date of April 4, 2013, but he argues for earlier dates based on his service-connected conditions and employment history.