PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, MDD, cannabis use disorder, and stimulant use disorder more nearly approximates a disability picture that resulted in total occupational and social impairment. A 100 percent initial rating is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an increase in severity of PTSD symptoms, and a new examination is needed to determine the current rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression. The VA is instructed to obtain service treatment records and seek updated VA treatment records. A new examination is needed to determine if any current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, other than his service-connected anxiety disorder. The case will be reviewed again with additional examinations and information.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a new examination. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed again.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability prior to July 26, 2018. The appeal for a higher rating for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is assigned a 70% rating effective March 9, 2017. Claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, as well as TDIU, are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was reopened, and he is now granted service connection. His PTSD rating from September 10, 2009 to December 17, 2014 was also granted at a 50% level.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected heart disability. The effective date for this grant is September 10, 2009. A rating of 50 percent for the acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, has been granted.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma (MST), is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine issues, fibromyalgia, and others, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for a left 5th metacarpal fracture with arthralgia and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD was dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.,The Veteran's PTSD has been granted with a rating of 70 percent, but not greater.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of recent VA treatment records and a new VA mental health examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis and a need for updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in September 2015 is inadequate and remanded for further clarification of whether the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD and/or another acquired psychiatric disorder, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and total disability rating.