PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a laceration of the right index finger and cervical spine disorder. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, remains pending. These issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for a substance abuse disorder and PTSD is denied. The rating for PTSD remains at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted due to the establishment of a previously established in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date before August 13, 2014, for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the correct date for the entitlement of service connection is August 13, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder have been granted. The appeal for an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to July 18, 2018, and greater than 50 percent thereafter, for cluster headaches is still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 23, 2009. The Board granted an earlier effective date for the TDIU benefit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of diagnosed disability, and new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran’s right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 5024-5260. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on current evidence.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board does not find that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to severe economic inadaptability.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA) due to their inextricability with other pending claims. The Veteran's attorney asserts that resolution of these claims may impact the analysis regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand for further development including a new VA examination and updated medical records. The Veteran also raised the issue of TDIU due to her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches prior to February 1, 2010 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches from February 1, 2010 onwards was also denied.

The Veteran's increased PTSD rating and TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent effective August 12, 2002. The case has been remanded for further development regarding the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's PTSD increased rating and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence, including VA mental health treatment notes. The Veteran has not yet been provided with appropriate notice for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic bronchitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's body rash, presumed due to herbicide exposure during service in Vietnam, is remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has decided that a VA psychiatric examination is needed to determine the onset and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since October 30, 2017. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent from October 18, 2012.