PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for a sleep disturbance is being deferred pending receipt of requested records, but will be remanded if new evidence is received.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right bicipital tendonitis and tendon repair scars is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for right knee strain with internal derangement status post arthroscopy with residual scar is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.,The Veteran's request for a temporary total evaluation is being remanded due to unclear basis of his claim, and will be deferred pending receipt of requested records.,The Veteran's request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD) were denied. The rating for migraines remains at 30 percent, while the rating for the psychiatric disorder is also at 50 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and granted this claim, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence supporting the diagnosis of PTSD and its causation by MST.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded both his increased rating claim for PTSD and a derivative TDIU claim due to unclear employment history and new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military combat experiences.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Abuse in sustained remission prior to June 5, 2015.,A higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied after June 5, 2015.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for herniated disc; cervical spine, with degenerative disc disorder is granted. The Board finds that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of this claim. However, the claim remains remanded as further development is needed regarding both conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew their case before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his total combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds that he does not meet the threshold requirements for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s sleep apnea and his active service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder are also being reviewed, but a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's claim for PTSD was not granted due to insufficient evidence regarding a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that DIC benefits are not warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD not meeting the criteria for total disability rating for 10 or more years immediately preceding death. The cause of death is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether the service-connected PTSD caused or contributed substantially to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional information and records, including from a Vet Center in Montana. The Veteran's effective date for his PTSD rating is still under review.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD has also been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been adequately evaluated in the May 2016 VA examination, and therefore a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but the initial rating for PTSD prior to July 24, 2017 is denied. The initial rating of 50% is maintained thereafter (July 24, 2017 and onwards). Both LLE and RLE radiculopathy were denied with an initial rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, alcohol dependence, and depressive disorder with alcohol dependency are granted. The claim for PTSD is denied. An initial compensable evaluation since November 30, 2010, for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation since September 20, 2009, for erectile dysfunction (ED) is dismissed. A 50 percent rating from September 30, 2009, to November 29, 2010, for depressive disorder with alcohol dependency is granted. The issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 16, 2010 for a TDIU rating, finding that his PTSD did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to this date.