PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for PTSD and hypertension, as they are inextricably intertwined with the pending claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA mental disorders examination to determine the etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on these factors.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder due to military sexual trauma, finding that the Veteran's symptoms meet the DSM-5 criteria and are linked to her in-service experiences.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or homebound status, nor does he qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran had a psychiatric disability during service, which could potentially be related to his death. The case is being remanded for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a diagnosed condition or credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral ankle tendinitis and hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, is also remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury was denied. The petition to reopen the claims of PTSD and major depressive disorder was granted, but the Veteran does not have current psychiatric disorders related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating prior to February 25, 2017. After that date, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for toxic optic neuropathy, increased rating for PTSD, and effective date determination for the increased rating of PTSD. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent since April 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to his service experiences. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for prostate cancer have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or any psychiatric disorder, and the Veteran's prostate cancer residuals do not meet criteria for a higher than 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral thoracic strain and spondylolisthesis (claimed as a back condition), and insomnia disorder and intermittent explosive disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent evaluation for the entire appeal period, hepatitis C service connection is denied, and tinea versicolor receives a noncompensable rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depression due to new evidence showing symptoms in service. The Veteran's testimony and a medical memorandum from his military service support the finding that he developed these conditions during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking or mood.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD affects his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to service connection, including obtaining missing records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims of service connection for left knee disability and PTSD, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.