PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his PTSD increase and TDIU is denied. However, he was granted a TDIU from October 15, 2015 to February 8, 2016, and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) for the same period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that new evidence submitted after a previous denial supports her claim and establishes a link between her in-service sexual assault stressor and her current PTSD symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability due to new evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because there is no confirmed clinical diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran has a current disability, unspecified neurocognitive disorder, which is not related to the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his PTSD disability rating is being remanded due to a duty to assist error related to missing USPS employment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied, as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% disability rating. The Board found that his symptoms were more consistent with a 30% disability rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he failed to demonstrate that his service-connected disabilities alone precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records and a need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the service-connected generalized anxiety reaction with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further development of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, tinnitus, hyperacusis, anxiety disorder, and erectile dysfunction are being reviewed.

The Veteran's death was not related to his active service or the service-connected PTSD. The DIC claim is denied, and the cause of death issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and migraine headaches have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines are not related to his military service and thus, service connection is denied. The GERD with hiatal hernia, painful joints (claimed as knees and ankles), depression, and PTSD issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of gunshot wound to the face and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that the Veteran was AWOL at the time of his gunshot wound injury, which did not occur in the line of duty. For PTSD, there was no combat service or verified stressor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder due to a lack of confirmation of an in-service stressor involving abuse/military sexual trauma. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder, results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of December 11, 2013. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD from February 26, 2010 through September 29, 2013 was denied. A 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 30, 2013 to February 17, 2014 was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 70% rating, effective from the date of the July 2013 decision. The right inguinal hernia and fractures of the ring and little fingers are denied as not warranting compensable ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 15, 2016. A total disability rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability is granted effective December 15, 2016.