PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, including major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia, and PTSD was reopened due to new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 14, 2016 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was first indicated in January 2016 and a formal application to reopen his previously denied claim was submitted on February 10, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder was reopened, and he is now granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder.,An effective date of August 1, 2013 has been assigned for the grant of service connection for his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of medication for service-connected PTSD on the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus bradycardia was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart condition and thus, the first requirement for establishing service connection has not been met.,An initial 30% rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. The Veteran reported frequent episodes of diarrhea and constipation with more or less constant abdominal distress.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of left mandible fracture is denied, while his PTSD and TDIU claims are referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's treatment at University Medical Center on February 19, 2015 was for an emergency condition that required immediate medical attention. The VA facility was not available and the Veteran is financially liable for the costs.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying the Veteran's in-service stressors and obtaining his service treatment records, particularly regarding depression counseling while stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence indicating that the Veteran has PTSD symptoms clearly separable from her already service-connected MDD.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating above 70 percent for MDD was denied due to a lack of evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and outpatient dental treatment due to a lack of consideration of relevant STRs in prior decisions. Additionally, the VA OIG investigation into possible fraud allegations is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of his tinnitus and symptoms since service are credible, and he is entitled to a presumption of service connection due to in-service noise exposure. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, further examination and opinion are needed as the VA examiner did not discuss the Veteran’s diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD was denied for ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to March 19, 2018 and for ratings in excess of 70 percent since that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and clarifying the private social worker's opinion regarding PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating since July 26, 2018. Prior to this date, the Veteran was not granted an initial higher rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the period prior to April 23, 2003; 50 percent from April 23, 2003, to January 8, 2009; and 70 percent thereafter. The issues of right hand tremors and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the diagnosis related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD) were granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral foot disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective August 18, 2015.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, as the April 1997 rating decision and subsequent decisions are final.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal is dismissed. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the PTSD claim and denied all other claims.