PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and borderline personality disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, tinnitus, residuals of TBI, and coronal fracture of tooth #9 without loss of tooth (front tooth replacement). The claim for PTSD was also denied.,There is no evidence to support that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD is remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2018 VA examination and the need for a new evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, and diabetes mellitus, are causing some impact on his ability to work. However, the VA examinations did not consider the combined effect of these conditions. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is supported by medical evidence, and his in-service stressors are consistent with his service. The Board finds that the Veteran's PTSD is caused by his experiences in combat in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are related to a direct relationship with service rather than any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's PTSD with mood disorder is rated at 70 percent from November 6, 2014. The effective date for this rating remains October 27, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and his claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and back disability need further development to verify the occurrence of his in-service stressor and to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess his current severity of PTSD and the impact of his service-connected conditions on employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was incurred during his active service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran was unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from May 21, 2013, to February 7, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection was denied for alcohol-induced bipolar and related disorder due to its being a result of the Veteran's own willful misconduct (alcohol abuse).,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (depressive disorder and anxiety disorder) have also been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for cluster headaches and PTSD, as well as the effective dates for service connection and TDIU, were denied.,A 50% rating was maintained for cluster headaches, with no extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected PTSD is denied as there was no informal or formal claim submitted prior to June 8, 1999.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since January 31, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA psychiatric examination in accordance with DSM-IV criteria.