PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and readjudicating the issues of PTSD ratings and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including verification of in-service stressors and clarification of diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to PTSD, thrombocytopenia, cyst removal scar, and fungal infection of the feet. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling prior to January 13, 2017, and 70 percent thereafter. The appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since November 13, 2017, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for further evidence and a medical opinion. The claim has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, PTSD, and hypertension have been denied.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM criteria and therefore, service connection for PTSD is denied. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and dysthymia) and left eye cataract are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are granted, with a 70 percent rating for PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions, as the VA examiner did not adequately address whether he has a qualifying chronic disability or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knees due to incomplete development. The Veteran's sister stated that his behavior changed after returning from overseas during active duty, but this evidence was not considered in previous opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her in need of regular assistance from another person for daily activities or to protect herself from hazards, thus denying her claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and denied entitlement to increased ratings for a scar of the lower lip, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 22, 2014 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to lack of a current VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 30, 2015. The rating is granted for this period.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no legal entitlement to such a date due to prior final denials.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether his psychiatric disorders are related to service.