PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional documents related to his claims.,A Statement of the Case must be issued regarding the denial of service connection for prostate cancer residuals, a compensable rating for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and a compensable rating for paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than February 26, 2004 for awards of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35 (DEA). The Veteran was found to have been employed in substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding PTSD symptoms from December 2008 to February 3, 2014.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective October 27, 2016. The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia disorder remains at a 50 percent rating since September 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence, is being remanded due to the need for updated medical opinions considering all relevant periods of active service and evidence added since June 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU effective February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed stressor. The Board found that the provided stressor allegations were not credible and inconsistent with the medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with depression and memory loss was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to missing private medical records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD with depression are not service-connected, and his TDIU is denied as the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back condition secondary to residuals of fracture, right first cuneiform due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Board also denied reopening the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and PTSD) and memory loss and lack of concentration associated with undiagnosed illness manifested by tension headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective as of July 27, 2016.,The Veteran’s hand tremors are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on both the earlier effective date claim and the CUE claim. The earlier effective date claim is related to the service connection for PTSD, while the CUE claim challenges a prior denial of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined issue with the claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, which must be addressed after adjudication of a raised CUE claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service and if they were superimposed upon her personality disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus not meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's increased ratings for shell fragment wound scars on the lumbar back region and right arm, as well as his PTSD, are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The TDIU claim is also being remanded based on a recent vocational assessment.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his condition was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's cause of death was not caused by or contributed substantially to his service-connected PTSD. The Board denied DIC benefits and the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ankle DJD, prostate cancer residuals with erectile dysfunction and incontinence, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection.