PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder is at least as likely as not related to a personal assault in service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathies have caused him to be unable to work since March 19, 2008. The Board has granted an effective date of March 19, 2008 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his in-service stressor of being shelled on his ship, and service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but found more development needed for other acquired psychiatric disorders. The case is remanded to further address the claim for any other acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was denied as the claims were final and there was no evidence of CUE in the October 2009 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD was also denied as the April 2011 rating decision was final and there was no evidence to support CUE.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to attend a scheduled VA examination. The Board will schedule another VA examination and provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset during or is otherwise related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disabilities are due to alcohol dependence and a frontal lobe infarction caused by willful misconduct during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion from a qualified medical professional using DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective July 24, 1979. The appeal for a TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is reopened and remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the merits of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected Achilles tendonitis and PTSD with sleep walking disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether the appellant was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal for service connection of PTSD and alcohol dependency. The Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on several issues, including her service connection claims and disability rating appeals. The decision regarding TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, skin disability, heart disability, and PTSD due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran was asked to provide more details about his alleged exposure but did not respond.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his diagnosed conditions began during service or were related to in-service exposure to an herbicide agent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50% for PTSD is denied. The Board finds that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms more closely approximate the level associated with a 50 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 19, 2007, for service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied. The preponderance of evidence does not support finding that his condition was secondary to his service-connected diabetes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and related conditions including depression and ADHD, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a link between these conditions and his military service. The Veteran's diagnosis of PTSD was linked to his role as a flight medic during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, tinnitus, psychiatric condition (including anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD), sleep condition, and headaches are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no medical evidence showing a link between the claimed conditions and service.