PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals seeking higher ratings and earlier effective dates for his PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 100 percent for the entire appeal period, resulting in the mootness of his claim for TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran demonstrated total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as gross impairment in thought processes or communication, persistent delusions or hallucinations, danger of hurting self or others, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal hygiene), disorientation to time or place, and memory loss for names of close relatives, occupation, or own name.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss) do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing records and additional medical evidence is needed. The issues of left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities are related to National Guard duty time which needs to be verified. The psychiatric disorder claim requires additional treatment records and a VA examination. Sleep apnea and hypertension are inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding entitlement to additional subsistence allowance payments during school breaks. The remaining issues of discontinuance of VR&E program and equipment purchases have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a temporary total rating based on hospitalization are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and ischemic heart disease disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has expanded the appeal to include all acquired psychiatric disorders and has ordered further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported personal assault in service is credible and supported by evidence of behavior changes.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling since April 25, 2018. The Board found that his PTSD caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, knee disorder, psychiatric condition, sinusitis, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension, is remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, and a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to active service or his claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of PTSD and its impact on employment and daily life, as well as review all available medical records. The Veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. However, the reopened claim itself was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. A 70 percent rating is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to May 23, 2016 is denied. The Board found that the disability was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to the date of the VA examination on May 23, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, needs to be remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new opinion.