PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for left ankle disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression. The claim of service connection for acne with scarring is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the acquired psychiatric disorder claim. The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service, specifically his combat experiences in Vietnam. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an initial increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the issue of service connection for PTSD was remanded due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reports of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if any of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The issues include whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of depression, and entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connected, with all doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective May 29, 2009, with the condition of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for PTSD and TDIU, as the appellant withdrew his appeal. The left ankle disability and TBI residuals are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and notifying the Veteran of his rights regarding PTSD claims based on in-service personal assault.

The claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is linked to a military sexual trauma experienced during active duty, which raises reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination. The effective date of service connection for PTSD remains February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, with the Board resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma, is also granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced on whether it was caused or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial compensable evaluation for a scar disability due to insufficient precision in the reported stressor event and the need for further examination of his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD was denied. The Board acknowledged the Veteran’s symptoms but did not find them severe enough to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to April 16, 2012. For the period from April 16, 2012 to July 31, 2018 (excluding the period of temporary total evaluation), he was found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his PTSD and other service-connected conditions. From August 1, 2018 onwards, a TDIU is denied as the Veteran already has a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, low back disability, diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and bilateral hearing loss, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran requires such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and GAD, as well as an aspirin allergy. Service connection for neurobehavioral effects secondary to exposure to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water is denied.