PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the January 2016 and January 2017 VA examination reports, which have conflicting diagnoses of dementia. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 29, 2012 to January 11, 2018 and he is granted entitlement to TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it began during active duty.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied. The examiner found no evidence linking the current diagnosis to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for a lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate prior examinations. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied due to the absence of any diagnosed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The Veteran is also awarded a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis, PTSD, chronic cephalgia, and right eye conjunctival laceration is granted. The claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and right knee strain with limited flexion and painful motion are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since January 18, 2011. A TDIU is also granted from the same date.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded cases involving service connection and rating issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury, headaches, and posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's prior diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The examiner must address these previous diagnoses in their opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected cold injury residuals and their impact on his ability to independently ambulate. The examiner must address whether these residuals alone preclude locomotion without the aid of an assistive device, such as a wheelchair or walker.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible evidence that he engaged in combat with an enemy force and his claimed stressor did not occur. The Board found that the Veteran's statements about the stressor were uncorroborated.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board also found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether or not the Veteran’s currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 25, 2015, for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The preponderance of evidence did not support an increase in severity prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent VA examination for PTSD, and an updated examination is needed to rate the Veteran's claim.