PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for pineal cyst on brain was withdrawn.,The Veteran's lower back strain is rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a June 1986 rating decision that denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran argued that the RO failed to obtain private treatment records, but the Board found no CUE as the correct facts were known at the time and the regulations were correctly applied.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, tinnitus, and PTSD claims have been denied. The VA has granted a 70% rating for PTSD beginning August 1, 2016, but the effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims for service connection for Personality Disorder and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to support the reopening of his claims for PTSD and sleep apnea, but not for sarcoidosis, IHD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, DDD of the lumbar spine, or PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to August 29, 2016 and granted a 100% rating effective September 21, 2018.,The Veteran's Right Shoulder Disability was rated at 20% prior to August 29, 2016 and granted a 40% rating effective September 21, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 14, 2017. The Board found that the evidence does not show a level of impairment so severe that it is impossible for the average person to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including for service connection for various disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for reopening previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for hair loss and fibromyalgia. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was reopened.

The Veteran's left knee disability, tinnitus, and dysthymia were denied service connection. The Veteran's PTSD claim is moot as it was already covered by the granted dysthymia.,A disability rating in excess of 50 percent for dysthymia was not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records from the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center (VAMC) for a claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which is secondary to service-connected dental trauma and/or TMJ.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is related to his in-service stressors involving fear of hostile military or terrorist activity coincident with his service in the Republic of Vietnam. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran is granted higher levels of SMC based on anatomical loss of both feet, need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities other than bilateral knee amputation, and additional disabilities rated at 50 percent or more. The highest level of SMC awarded is SMC-N.

The Board denied service connection for a mental disorder, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection was granted for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his condition was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment prior to October 3, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are linked to his in-service experiences and stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information to corroborate the Veteran's stressors and a need for a VA examination to determine if he suffers from an acquired psychiatric disability.