PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss was denied because he failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination. The TDIU claim was also denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of posttraumatic stress disorder has been remanded due to the addition of new evidence after a Supplemental Statement of the Case was issued.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his symptoms align with DSM-5 criteria and attributing them to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shell fragment wounds to the legs, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted in April 2014 with a 100% rating effective March 22, 2010. The Board has jurisdiction over the issue of an earlier effective date and will remand to determine if the Veteran had PTSD prior to July 1996.

The Veteran's spouse was added to his VA disability award effective September 1, 2012, the first day of the month following his claim for an increased evaluation. The Board found that this effective date is correct.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed because the VA Form 9 submitted in December 2015 was not received by the AOJ within the required time frame, making the October 2013 decision final and binding.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from September 1, 2015 to July 10, 2016, and an extension of a temporary total rating for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased rating, total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and special monthly compensation due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), rectum disability, and bilateral eye disability due to lack of a medical opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at a maximum of 70 percent due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there was no confirmed in-service stressor and the medical evidence does not support a connection between his current disorder and service.

The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD is remanded. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient efforts in identifying a service member who witnessed the Veteran's fellow service member engulfed in flames and assisting them, which is relevant to the Veteran's PTSD claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are denied, but the rating for PTSD is increased to 70% effective October 20, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of total social and occupational impairment. The issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to lack of definitive medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and a higher rating for depressive disorder with anxious features due to new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating, and the issues of higher ratings for left knee instability and limitation of motion are remanded.