PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of current diagnosis for PTSD and needs further examination to determine if there is a medical nexus between an in-service incident and the diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher staged initial ratings for PTSD has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal to receive a disability rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD was dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by her representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The examiner is required to provide a new opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are rated at the maximum schedular rating. The residuals of postoperative left inguinal herniorrhaphy have been rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to conflicting evidence on whether he meets the criteria for a diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the case is remanded for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and Alcohol Use Disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. His appeals to reopen a skin disorder claim and for increased ratings for erectile dysfunction and PTSD are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and PTSD, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, eye condition and right ankle condition were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was granted with a higher 70 percent rating effective May 1, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was found to not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent or a rating in excess of 70 percent from April 12, 2019. The Board determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened. The Veteran's low back disorder, sleep apnea, and pseudofolliculitis are all remanded for further development. A psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 24, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to a lack of evidence indicating an earlier claim. The Board found that no formal or informal claim was received before this date.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including recent VA treatment records from Tucson and San Diego. The Board also notes that the Veteran has difficulty with daily activities but does not require regular aid and attendance or be housebound.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD. The case is being returned for additional evidentiary development, including a clarifying opinion from another qualified clinician regarding the impact of the Veteran's PTSD on employment.

The appeal is being remanded due to non-compliance with the January 2018 Remand directives. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining a new VA addendum opinion addressing the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor for PTSD. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss has been remanded. The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD has also been granted to a 70 percent level.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome with myelopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no evidence of a current disability.