PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder has been granted a 100 percent schedular rating for the entire period on appeal, and as such, his claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability prior to April 1, 2015 is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a higher disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received and grants the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings is remanded due to the need for further development of evidence in several areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be returned to allow a VA examiner to review the file and determine if the Veteran has a psychiatric disorder related to his active duty service.

Service connection for gastrointestinal disability is granted.,Service connection for PTSD, lung cancer, left leg condition, right leg condition, and right arm condition are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia disorder, is remanded as there are insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD with alcohol dependence and depression. The issue of hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2018 hearing.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for her service-connected PTSD with Major Depression.,The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD with Major Depression remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for an updated examination and development of his TDIU claim. The PTSD claim will be evaluated based on the merits, as it does not involve a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder with mixed features result in the need for aid and attendance of another person due to memory impairment and the requirement of more than one insulin injection per day.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded because the VA examination report did not adequately address his occupational functioning due to PTSD, and there are additional psychiatric diagnoses that need to be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes mellitus, render him unemployable from June 1, 2015 to June 11, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, tachycardia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a shrapnel wound to the head, and a right knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.,The Board found no indication of any current disabilities for OSA, tachycardia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), residuals of a shrapnel wound to the head, and a right knee disability. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were not credible.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a fungal condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and an adjustment disorder. Further development is needed as VA treatment records are required, the stressor must be verified, and opinions on etiology need to be provided.

The Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer has been dismissed.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's discharge from active duty was not due to a service-connected disability, so he is only eligible for Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits at the 60 percent rate.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disorder has been reopened and granted. Tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service. The reduction of the rating for prostate cancer residuals from 100% to 10% was improper, and the 60% rating for coronary artery disease is restored.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding service connection claims. The Board will consider all evidence and provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case if necessary.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD.,Ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are denied due to lack of current diagnoses.,PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50 percent, but no higher.