PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 7, 2014 include ischemic heart disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that referral to the VA’s Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left arm disability and TDIU was dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The Board finds that the new and material evidence received since the last final rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, thus reopening the claim.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to August 27, 2018 and at 70 percent from that date onwards. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the TDIU claim.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have improved since August 27, 2018, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and there is a causal relationship between his current PTSD diagnosis and an in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and bilateral hearing loss in March 2015, October 2015, and June 2007 respectively. The Veteran's application to reopen these claims is pending.,New evidence received since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disorder, pulmonary fibrosis, scars to the left arm and shoulder, facial scars, and PTSD due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 23, 2016. The initial rating for a headache disability has been granted but not in excess of the current assigned rating. An earlier effective date for service connection of a headache disability secondary to PTSD was denied. The skin disability remains rated at 30 percent and TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS, migraines, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder in remission are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 50% disability rating for his migraines.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea. The Board has determined that these issues require additional development due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of in-service stressors and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's service records confirm his reported stressor, but further verification is needed for other claimed stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since September 13, 2016. The effective date for this rating has been set as of that date.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings for tension headaches, asthma, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent for the period of December 16, 2009, to July 29, 2012. The Board found that her symptoms warranted a finding of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout this period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD rating and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and the remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD with schizoaffective, bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia effective September 1, 2016, as the reduction from 100% to 70% was improper due to insufficient evidence of actual sustained improvement.

The Veteran's increased disability rating claim for diabetes mellitus type II was denied. The competency to handle disbursement of VA funds issue is remanded.