PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to April 25, 2016 and denied for a higher rating. From April 25, 2016, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent and denied for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure a complete record for the Veteran's claims of increased PTSD rating and TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are related to his service. However, due to incomplete records and need for further examination, the case is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU due to incomplete VA examinations. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor and the diagnosed PTSD is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination. The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are all being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service or pre-existing personality disorders aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include insomnia, has been rated at 70 percent since November 2013. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating and grants a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for PTSD, and for an effective date prior to December 30, 2013 for service connection for PTSD are remanded. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits application records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation program records.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU. However, due to his service-connected disabilities and inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, he may be eligible for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in suicidal ideations, obsessive rituals, intermittent illogical or obscure speech, near-continuous feeling of panic, spatial disorientation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, or difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for PTSD from November 1, 2013 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and TDIU due to incomplete development. The Veteran's personality disorder may have been aggravated by his motor vehicle accident.

The Board found that the overpayment of Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) education benefits was valid and denied the Veteran's claim for a reduction in the overpayment amount.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and an increased rating for tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim has been remanded.,PTSD remains at the maximum schedular rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for glioblastoma multiforme stage 4 brain cancer is remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether lung cancer caused or aggravated the brain cancer.

The Veteran's rating for PTSD and depressive disorder was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective April 1, 2015. The reduction was improper due to failure to comply with applicable law and regulations. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating is remanded.