PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD effective May 15, 2007, finding that the Veteran had service-connected psychiatric disability at the time of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's PTSD claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from September 3, 2002. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the issue of TDIU.

The Board previously denied a higher rating for PTSD, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered a remand due to the Veteran's reported worsening during a hearing. The case is now sent back for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 70 percent prior to May 2, 2018. A 100 percent rating for PTSD effective May 2, 2018 is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as new evidence has been submitted and the claimant has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (gunshot wounds, diabetes, and Fragile X Syndrome) rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board denied entitlement to service connection for Parkinson's Disease and PTSD due to lack of diagnosis and found that the Veteran was already receiving a combined disability rating of 90%.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for PTSD, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current GERD is related to service, specifically her service-connected migraine headaches and/or PTSD. The Veteran claims that her symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are related to these conditions during episodes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose is August 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or depressive disorder, is reopened. The case is remanded to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service.

The Board has decided that the earlier effective date for TDIU should be changed to January 10, 2015 and a new VA examination is required for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and depression, as secondary to his service-connected physical disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint conditions and PTSD have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran has a sleep disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, that are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective August 23, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms caused social and occupational impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and IHD, as well as the propriety of the reduction in their ratings from 70% to 50% for PTSD and from 60% to 10% for IHD, are being remanded due to new examinations being required. The Veteran also has a claim for TDIU which is now considered inextricably intertwined with his increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is denied. The effective date is set at August 24, 2010.