PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires a higher level of care for his service-connected disabilities, including Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, and chronic headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is granted. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as the VA examiner has not provided an opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, and because this could impact his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are granted, but his Obsessive Compulsive Personality Traits Disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted service connection with effective dates of July 30, 2016, and September 25, 2013 respectively.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD, depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are rated at 70 percent for the period from May 21, 2018. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition and PTSD due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pancreatitis and an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, and depression, has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the potential availability of relevant treatment records.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance from December 31, 2007. The TDIU was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 31, 2007.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on the Veteran's combat experience in Vietnam, finding that his symptoms align with PTSD criteria and are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), bilateral hearing loss, and epilepsy due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and Adjustment Disorder, which he claims are related to an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from October 30, 2015 is dismissed as moot because he is already receiving the maximum benefits available. The Board has also remanded the issue of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to October 30, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that a supplemental VA opinion is needed to address the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, specifically whether it is related to service or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for VA loan guaranty benefits is granted due to his service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from a sexual assault during service, which led to his discharge. The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD and specified depressive disorder do not warrant separate ratings, as the symptoms overlap. The case is remanded for further evaluation.