PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his symptoms since the last July 2015 VA examination. The Veteran also requested copies of his outpatient treatment notes from James J. Peters VA Medical Center, which need to be addressed.

Your claim for service connection for insomnia/sleep disturbances/adjustment disorder/anxiety/PTSD/depression was denied in August 2015, but the RO granted it in November 2018. The appeal is dismissed as your benefit has been fully granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for TBI due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The case is remanded for further action on the issues of service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, prior to May 12, 2015 was denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to January 31, 2013 is currently remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted for accrued benefits purposes, with a 100% rating effective October 27, 2009. The appellant is the dependent parent of the Veteran and has been reimbursed for funeral expenses. She now seeks the remainder of the accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, erectile dysfunction, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU due to these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a continuity of symptoms since service, and his private psychologist confirmed the presence of PTSD related to combat stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including a 2009 depression screen and test results from VA examinations. The Veteran needs to be examined again for his psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a left ankle disability, GERD, back disability, psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression and PTSD are at least as likely as not related to in-service MST, granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD. However, it was denied on the merits as there is no evidence linking any current acquired psychiatric disability to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and major depressive disorder, which are etiologically related to in-service incidents and combat. Service connection is also granted for left hip, left knee, and right knee disorders, as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include PTSD, bilateral pes planus, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, TBI, seizure disability secondary to TBI, vertigo secondary to TBI, Dercum’s disease, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, hypermobility syndrome, testicular/inguinal hernia, respiratory disability, mast cell disorder, hemolytic anemia, and TMJ.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, Tinea Pedis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD prior to December 28, 2009 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded due to its implicit assertion by the Veteran.

The petition to reopen service connection for COPD is granted.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date, prior to June 17, 2011, for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.