PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, increased rating for nephropathy associated with DM II, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek a definitive opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension, including whether it is related to Agent Orange exposure.

The reduction of the PTSD rating from 100% to 50% was improper, and the original 100% rating is restored as of August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. The case for service connection of residuals from a traumatic brain injury is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 are remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including a copy of the police report and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective February 28, 2017. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for PTSD is granted, and her migraine headaches are found to be related to her service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the VA examinations inadequate and remands for further examination on right shoulder disorder, right ankle fracture and ligaments, irritable bowel syndrome, and pilonidal cyst removal residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective August 23, 2016. The effective date of the grant is set at August 23, 2015.

The claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been remanded.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, Back Disability, and Sciatic Nerve Disability are granted non-initial increased ratings. The TDIU issue is also resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 23, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD did not result in a total occupational and social impairment prior to August 20, 2016. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD during this period.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as his PTSD, are found to be caused by a combination of events occurring during service and the resulting left varicocele. The Veteran's left varicocele is not rated compensably due to its lack of severity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, was not incurred in active service. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his PTSD, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine, Hypertension, and Hepatitis C claims has been granted. The service connection for these conditions is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for updated vocational rehabilitation information. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not in dispute, but further evidence is needed to determine if he requires any employment accommodations or concessions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The higher initial rating and TDIU claims related to PTSD are also remanded.

The Board denied the motion to reverse the RO's decision denying service connection for anxiety due to lack of CUE. The claim was reopened and granted in April 2013, but an effective date prior to that is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.