PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are at least as likely as not due to a witnessed event in service, leading to his current conditions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 16, 2008 for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depression and alcoholism.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of October 16, 2008 for the award of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is related to his fear of hostile military activity coincident with his service in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent effective July 11, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 2005 for service connection of PTSD is denied as it was filed after the original denial in November 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for facial and posterior scalp scars, painful scars on the posterior scalp, PTSD with depression and anxiety, and TDIU due to evidence of worsening symptoms and the need for updated medical records.

Service connection for a sinus disability is granted.,An initial 50 percent rating, but no higher, for PTSD is granted.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for tremors and an effective date prior to October 4, 2012, for a 20 percent rating for lumbar strain. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for TBI and tinnitus have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded the claims for PTSD, TBI, tinnitus, and TDIU.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of COPD due to his withdrawal. The issues of right ear hearing loss, OSA, hypertension, and PTSD remain on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for PTSD. However, the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the Board denied entitlement to non-service connected death pension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for TBI, PTSD, head scar, and left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent for TBI or 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a higher rating for PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for tinnitus. The Board has determined that the maximum disability rating possible under applicable criteria is 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus. For other claims, a new examination and additional evidence are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and prostate cancer are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, along with PTSD and TBI residuals, has been productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.