PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, CAD, or PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service personal assault and PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, which he claims was caused by military sexual trauma. The VA needs to obtain additional records and conduct a new examination to determine if there is a link between his current mental health conditions and his alleged in-service event.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded, and the claim for an earlier effective date for degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee condition remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for PTSD service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The VA examiners' opinions are considered significant weight in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was reopened and granted effective from November 20, 2009. The claim for PTSD was denied in August 2008 but reopened on August 2, 2010 with an effective date of November 20, 2009. A rating of 70 percent is granted for PTSD prior to March 2, 2017 and a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied at all times relevant to the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and irritability. However, the Board found that these symptoms have not caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The TDIU claim is also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The TDIU claim prior to March 15, 2010, is also remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for the period between February 1, 2012 and February 27, 2012. The issue of TDIU prior to October 20, 2011 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder have been rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to in-service personal assaults. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, is granted service connection. The neck disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, but no higher. The Veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating prior to January 8, 2018. A rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's left heel disorder is not service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there was no competent or credible evidence establishing a nexus between a claimed in-service disease or injury and the diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her claim for service connection for PTSD, and the RO granted it in a December 2018 rating decision. The issue is now dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, a cognitive disorder and PTSD based on combat exposure and/or alleged military sexual trauma (MST), as well as his claim for service connection for hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability was incurred in or caused by military service.