PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the stressor was not sufficient to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 9, 2003. He is also granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD.,PTSD was previously rated at 50% from January 9, 2003 onwards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed. The petition to reopen his service-connected bilateral hearing loss claim has been granted, but the issue of an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD is being remanded.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis and etiology related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to his nonservice-connected COPD.,The Veteran was found eligible for TDIU as he met the percentage requirements with a combined rating of 70 percent from service-connected conditions, and his unemployability was determined to be due to his service-connected disabilities.,The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because there was no evidence that VA's care or treatment caused the Veteran’s death.

The Board has vacated the dismissal of the appeal for service connection for an acquired mental health disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The case will be scheduled for a hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since April 30, 2012. The Board granted a rating of 70% effective from that date due to the severity of his symptoms including suicidal ideation and violent destruction of property.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, insomnia, headaches, an unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to his service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of verified in-service stressor and insufficient evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependence. The decision is based on credible statements from the Veteran regarding his in-service experiences and subsequent mental health symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 7, 2016, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The claim for an earlier effective date of November 29, 2017, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for right shoulder disability is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is related to their fear of hostile military activity during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, headaches, high cholesterol, heart disorder, lung disorder, and skin disorder. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain police records regarding a second motor vehicle accident in July 1981. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities is now pending.

The Veteran's PTSD with cannabis use disorder and symptoms of depression is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a higher initial rating for migraine headaches and TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and migraine headaches. The AOJ is instructed to provide another opportunity for the Veteran to submit additional evidence, including private medical records from the relevant time periods.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment for the entire appeal period, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his service in combat with the enemy during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

Service connection for a heart condition is denied.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.,Service connection for a psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is denied.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted.