PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed PTSD. The case will be returned for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma, and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective July 3, 2019. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that neither a respiratory nor cardiovascular disease was incurred in or aggravated by service or causally related to service-connected disorders. The Veteran's PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD was denied. The effective date for the establishment of service connection for PTSD is October 22, 2013.,For the period prior to May 15, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. For the period from May 15, 2018 and thereafter, it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his back and knee disabilities, has resulted in a TDIU effective March 30, 2006. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective the same date.

The Veteran's initial rating for coronary artery disease status post CABG since October 30, 2018 is granted at a 60 percent level. The Veteran's PTSD is denied an initial higher than 50 percent rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD should be remanded for a new examination and updated medical records, as well as an opinion regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. Service connection for ischemic heart disease is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The VA has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the appellant's employment status and service in the Air Force Reserves, as well as for a new VA medical examination of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor of observing and cleaning up the scene of a fellow marine’s suicide, thus granting service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are remanded due to inadequate examination findings. Additional development is needed, including obtaining treatment records, verifying ACDUTRA service dates, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and asthma have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since December 27, 2008. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU from May 7, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no greater, and the claim for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, type II diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the Veteran's claims for OSA and SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for PTSD, a back/spinal cord disorder, skin condition/candida, and sleep apnea due to missing STRs and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted due to his service-connected PTSD, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted as of January 22, 2019, based on his combined rating of 90 percent for service-connected disabilities.