PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of colon cancer was denied. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TBI were also denied, as well as the appeal regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's depressive disorder and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral L5 spondylosis with spondylolisthesis and herniated disc L5-S1, esophageal reflux, esophagitis, gastritis, PTSD, and pancreatitis. The Veteran's current conditions are found to have onset in service or are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, and the need to verify stressor allegations and conduct a new VA mental disorders/initial PTSD examination.

The Veteran's service-connected other trauma and stress related disorder (claimed as PTSD and substance abuse) is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability, due to lack of recent medical evidence.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has decided that a VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated panic attacks and depression is granted at a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date his claim was received by VA. The other service-connected disabilities have their ratings either denied or unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective October 1, 2016. The reduction is denied.,SMC based on housebound criteria has been discontinued since October 1, 2016, but the matter remains pending and needs further review.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% effective January 20, 2016. An earlier effective date of July 31, 2009 for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder alone preclude him from securing or following substantial gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the back condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 16, 2015, for the award of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded his claims for a higher rating and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and a need for additional VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and cannabis use disorder, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the cannabis use disorder to service.

The Veteran's low back disability, rated at 10% prior to July 15, 2016 and now at 20%, is granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU since August 15, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from March 9, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings on other conditions and earlier effective dates are pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the AOJ not considering his PTSD when evaluating his disability rating. The issue of whether he can secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities alone remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for the award of service connection is February 26, 2017. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to February 2017 and the May 2012 rating decision became final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, and his right knee disorder is granted. The left shoulder acromioclavicular sprain with impingement syndrome and PTSD are both remanded for further review.,An effective date earlier than August 11, 2015, cannot be established for the increased ratings of left shoulder acromioclavicular sprain with impingement syndrome and PTSD.