PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The issue of whether he has a current psychiatric condition related to service is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the increased rating for PTSD and the TDIU claim due to insufficient development in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of impaired sleep, isolation, social and recreational avoidance, heightened arousal, flashbacks, mood swings, restricted affect, and severe depression. Total occupational and social impairment has not been shown.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating and eligibility for DEA benefits since March 26, 2015 due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he could still work due to his non-service-connected neurocognitive disorder. The TDIU claim was also denied because there was no evidence showing that his service-connected PTSD alone prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in January 2013, and the decision is final. The Veteran did not submit new and material evidence within one year of the denial.,Service connection for PTSD and TBI were granted effective from August 31, 2015, but the Veteran requested an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are REMANDED due to outstanding records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no diagnosed condition and two VA examiners found that his symptoms were not consistent with genuine psychopathology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorder to service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the new evidence submitted did not provide a competent and probative nexus between his current PTSD and an in-service stressor.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to in-service sexual assault should be remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether a sexual assault occurred and if so, whether it caused PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined pending claims and a need for an opinion regarding the cause of death. The Appellant's request for substitution is also referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran must undergo a medical examination to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to in-service stressors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified psychotic disorder. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to December 5, 2017. From that date onward, the rating was increased to 50 percent. The Board found that these ratings were appropriate based on the symptoms described.

The Veteran's PTSD causes significant impairment in work, social relationships, and daily functioning. The Board has granted a 70% evaluation for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart condition, bilateral lung condition (secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II), and bilateral kidney condition (secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II).

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's injuries, finding that they were due to his own willful misconduct during a February 1985 altercation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these conditions.