PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran is not competent to handle the disbursement of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funds due to her mental incapacity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion addressing the collective impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, or PTSD. Service connection was also denied for left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are found to render him unable to secure or follow employment. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to evaluate the collective effect of these conditions on his employability.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis in accordance with DSM-V criteria. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded as VA medical opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional VA medical records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with these new records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and granted TDIU benefits based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording the Veteran VA examinations. The claim of service connection for hypertension and irregular heartbeats is being remanded as well as the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD with anxiety and depression, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with Major Depression is granted at a 70 percent evaluation from March 21, 2007 to February 24, 2016. TDIU and DEA are also granted during this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential exposure to Agent Orange while serving in the territorial sea of Vietnam. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination and further development is needed to determine if he served within the Republic of Vietnam, including on ships such as USS Juneau.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran has occupational and social impairment in most areas due to his service-connected PTSD, including suicidal ideation, drug abuse, severe sleep disturbances, depression, hallucinations, near-continuous panic attacks, difficulty establishing effective relationships, and disorientation to time or place. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating as he has not exhibited total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD is related to a personal assault during service, and remands the case for further examination and consideration of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including verification of an in-service stressor involving a helicopter crash.

The Board has decided the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as whether any pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service.

The appeal is deemed timely, and the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and fibromyalgia are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he meets the criteria for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.