PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed stressor occurred and is related to his military service. The decision resolves in favor of the Veteran due to the relative equipoise between supporting and contradictory evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and combat experience, as well as outstanding mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's PTSD and to address his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The issues of increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since April 7, 2016. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability. The Veteran was not diagnosed with PTSD, and her lumbar spine condition did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to a potential finding of clear and unmistakable error in the May 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, with the Board finding that a current diagnosis of PTSD was incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD due to his military service and grants service connection based on this diagnosis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his service connection claims for sleep apnea syndromes, tinnitus, and PTSD due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to vertigo, paresthesia/numbness and loss of strength in his right hand, and PTSD need further examination and opinion due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's claims for prostate condition, kidney stones, cysts on adrenal glands, vestibular dysfunction with vertigo, balance issues, and nausea, as well as acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and mood disorder) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, resulting in a 30 percent initial evaluation prior to February 9, 2010.

The Board has not completed the requested development to determine the severity of the Veteran's PTSD and remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to September 20, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU rating for the same period.