PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vocational goals are not reasonably feasible due to his ongoing alcohol abuse and psychiatric disabilities, leading to a denial of VR&E services.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating of PTSD prior to June 30, 2015 was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on in-service stressors, including military sexual trauma and harassment.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD was received by the VA on March 24, 2015. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 24, 2015 for the award of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and has determined that he meets the criteria for service connection based on a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the service connection claims for a left knee disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for the period from March 21, 2015 to October 30, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and hypertension as secondary to his PTSD disability due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and polysubstance abuse claims are remanded due to the need for updated evaluations, as his conditions have worsened since his last examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating issue.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety and depression. The other claims of service connection are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a new examination. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and unspecified personality disorder, is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 15, 2015, and 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's right-hand injury, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The Veteran is also granted service connection for hypertension and bilateral foot fungus. However, the Veteran's PTSD rating prior to November 20, 2017, remains at 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to disputed diagnoses and allegations of malingering. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, is being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for dependents, finding that the earliest applicable date was April 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right wrist carpel tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpel tunnel syndrome, and PTSD were dismissed due to withdrawal. The appeal for reopening of service connection for PTSD was granted, but the claim for service connection for PTSD itself was denied. Appeals for service connection for right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and right foot disorder were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and for an increased rating for PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and private mental health treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA-contracted medical opinions did not provide adequate rationale regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability.