PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective March 12, 2018. The Board has restored the 70 percent rating but has remanded the issue of a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and its relationship to service. Additional development is needed, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, including his state of mind and events leading up to it. The appellant is asked to provide specific details about these matters and a medical opinion on whether her husband’s PTSD contributed to his accidental death.

The Veteran's claim for an annual VA clothing allowance due to the use of a skin medication (Coal Tar) is denied because he does not have a service-connected skin disability and his Coal Tar skin medication is not used to treat any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, muscle pain of the bilateral legs, and PTSD. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's IBS is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and therefore grants service connection for IBS as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied. The current rating adequately reflects the Veteran's symptoms, which include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has granted a TDIU from January 28, 2015 to January 13, 2016. The issue of whether the Veteran was unemployable prior to January 28, 2015 is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee condition, and increased rating for right tibia stress fracture have been denied due to lack of credible in-service stressor events, no evidence of arthritis within the presumptive period, and insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to an undelivered letter requesting the completion of a VA Form 21-8940. The matter is now being returned for appropriate action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, as he asserts that his symptoms are more severe than described in the February 2018 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for sleep apnea and an insufficient opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted since the November 2009 denial of service connection for PTSD, thus reopening the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and a depressive disorder is being remanded due to allegations of clear and unmistakable error in previous denial decisions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder needs to be reassessed due to recent symptom reports, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and unresolved medical questions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and left ear hearing loss have resulted in a TDIU, as his service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain employment.