PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has broadened the issue to include service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for service connection for right knee tendonitis/tendinosis with osteoarthritis, left ankle Achilles’ tendon rupture, and PTSD with major depressive disorder. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for service connection for right ankle Achilles’ tendon rupture. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for skin lesions, including malignant skin neoplasms, is remanded due to outstanding VA and/or private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a service-connectable psychiatric disability related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for service connection for PTSD and maxillary sinusitis, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-5 criteria, and thus service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective from February 2, 2018. This rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and MDD remains under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the Board finds that further medical guidance is needed to determine if his current psychiatric disability is related to his military service.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since May 30, 2018. The Board denied an increased evaluation for his PTSD as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's education benefits are granted at the 100% rate due to her discharge from service due to a service-connected disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.