PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's prostatitis rating was improperly reduced, and the right wrist disability is not rated higher. The diabetes mellitus rating remains unchanged, but a TDIU is granted as of June 26, 2012. All other issues are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's OSA, PTSD, and peripheral neuropathy are all being evaluated further.

An effective date of April 18, 2016, but not earlier, for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, anemia, acne and boils (skin condition), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied. A rating of 70 percent, but no more, for PTSD is granted on and after November 19, 2015. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran met all three elements of the PTSD service connection criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to July 5, 2017 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for service-connected PTSD and persistent depressive disorder due to a lack of VA examination. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 10, 2010, and entitlement to SMC based on housebound status from August 1, 2008, to January 7, 2010. The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn by his attorney representative.

The Veteran's hypertension, migraine headaches, PTSD and depressive disorder with pure dysthymic syndrome are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for his hypertension from June 9, 2017 to October 16, 2018. A 50 percent rating is granted for his migraine headaches during the same period. His PTSD and depressive disorder with pure dysthymic syndrome are rated at 50 percent throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's back disability, left knee condition, and TDIU claims are all remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted. A 10% rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted from August 27, 2013 to November 9, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as depression) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's PTSD is currently service-connected, but there are issues regarding its etiology based on personal assault in service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since September 20, 2013. He also received a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for gastritis, migraines, and PTSD have been granted with effective dates of February 10, 2014. She is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and potential stressors. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the diagnostic criteria for a psychiatric disorder at any point in the appeal period, including PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to the RO not complying with a previous Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) remand request for an examination. The case is now back before the BVA and will be adjudicated again after another examination.

The VA awarded the Appellant DIC benefits based on her spouse's service-connected disabilities, which were rated as totally disabling for at least 8 years prior to death. The decision is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent rating prior to July 27, 2010 and is denied for any higher ratings. The appeal for a rating greater than 50 percent after July 27, 2010 was not granted.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment, but she is not found to be unemployable due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service in Panama during his National Guard duty is considered as part of the stressor claim.