PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board's decision denying a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD has been vacated due to an outstanding request for a stay of adjudication.

The Veteran's death is not service-connected, but the appellant seeks higher burial benefits. The appeal for increased PTSD rating and TDIU remains separate from this issue.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include psychiatric disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disability, and skin disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations. Issues include service connection for right ear hearing loss, increased rating for tinea versicolor with neurodermatitis, a higher rating for PTSD, and an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety symptoms is granted as service-connected, and the rating assigned reflects this connection.

The Board has reconsidered the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, residuals of a recurrent anal fissure, sarcoidosis with sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and cyst removal scar. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to September 18, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and residuals of testicular cancer and removal of lymph nodes are granted due to presumed exposure at Camp Lejeune. However, the Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and diabetes, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, insomnia disorder, and alcohol abuse disorder. The decision finds that the current disabilities are directly related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease, and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, a mood disorder, and a nightmare disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TDIU due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining updated treatment records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues have been referred back to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for PTSD prior to February 18, 2015 was denied as his psychiatric disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating. For the period since February 18, 2015, an increased rating beyond 50 percent was also denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to a motor vehicle accident during service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence, particularly regarding his PTSD, right knee DJD, skin disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for additional vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, including a change in his long-range goal to obtain a master’s degree in Physics. The decision concluded that achieving maximum rehabilitation gain (MRG) had been met and that changing the long-range goal would not be more likely to improve his situation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70%, and the Board has ordered a new examination to determine if her condition warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 2, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic sleep impairment, isolating behaviors, intrusive thoughts, reexperiencing traumatic events, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, suspiciousness, exaggerated startle response, recurrent suicidal ideation, impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), decreased concentration, decreased motivation and mood, mild memory loss, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.