PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as new and material evidence has been received. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disability (claimed as depression and PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, should be remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete verification of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD due to military sexual trauma is reopened and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 14, 2017.,Beginning February 14, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD warranted a 70 percent rating.,The effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as it cannot be earlier than October 16, 2012.,The issue of TDIU has been raised and needs to be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50%, migraine headaches are rated at 50%, and lumbosacral DDD, right knee cyst removal, right ear tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss are all rated at 10%. The combined rating for these conditions results in an 80% disability rating. The Veteran's appeal is denied as his PTSD does not warrant a higher than 50% rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on remand and for earlier effective dates are pending. The appeal of the initial rating for coronary artery disease is also pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination for PTSD and to request the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-8940, Veteran's Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability. The AOJ should also seek any outstanding VA treatment records and give the Veteran another opportunity to identify any other pertinent evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, as a statement of the case must be issued to address the issues of service connection for PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a sleep condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection is granted for this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of sleep apnea syndromes and prostate cancer due to in-service exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service. The VA needs to schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess his current condition and its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing a right leg disability, foot disability, right upper extremity neurological disability, or PTSD. The Board found that there was no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric symptoms and whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to determine if the Veteran had a major depressive disorder and/or PTSD in February 2005, which would affect the effective date of service connection. The issues of an earlier effective date and initial disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD are also remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently evaluated at a 70 percent rating, effective October 17, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in disability rating beyond this level.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, alcohol dependence, diabetic nephropathy with hypertension, peripheral neuropathies, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertensive heart disease, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of December 24, 2011.

The Board has denied service connection for the residuals of a right foot injury and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the pre-existence and aggravation of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The claim will be returned for a new VA supplemental opinion.