PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD prior to November 10, 2008. The issues of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The claims are now pending before the RO.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a left hand injury is allowed, and his PTSD rating is granted at 70 percent. The appeal regarding the left hand injury is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted a 50% rating. The psychiatric and low back disability claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and knee disabilities. The Veteran will need to provide updated medical records from VA or private providers, as well as any Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to military sexual trauma. Additionally, a VA examination will be conducted for both left and right knee disabilities to determine if they are related to wear and tear during boot camp.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD as there was no verified in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD was based on the Veteran's lay reports, which were not corroborated by evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional service connections.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD due to lack of new and material evidence, as previous medical records did not diagnose him with PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST, finding that there was no credible evidence of the claimed stressors. The issue of service connection for an unspecified trauma and stress related disorder is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are at least as likely as not incurred in service. Service connection was also granted for alcohol abuse secondary to PTSD and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent from August 29, 2014 to April 29, 2016. The Board denied a higher rating as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent from February 16, 2012, to October 1, 2014. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted as June 2, 1995.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected due to lack of a 10-year period of continuous total disability rating, and the cause of death is not related to Agent Orange exposure or PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, leading to a 100% rating from July 12, 2014. The appeal for Total Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the 100% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disease and PTSD due to Agent Orange exposure. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service, including herbicide exposure.

The claim for PTSD is reopened and denied. The Veteran's MDD, already service-connected, remains in effect with a rating of 70%. The claim for SMP based on the need for aid and attendance due to his MDD is also denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches, including as secondary to TBI, needs further examination and evaluation.