PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia, was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for schizophrenia but not for PTSD. The claims for left and right ankle conditions are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, including depression NOS due to insufficient evidence regarding the veracity of his claimed stressors. Further efforts are needed to confirm if there was a Naval collision in May 1973 that involved the Tugboat Oshkosh (YTB-757) and the submarine USS Bluefish.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that any other diagnosed psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting an initial 50 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. The appeals are now remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the claimed stressor and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, bronchitis, hypertension, and headaches have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a bronchogenic cyst, post-operative is dismissed. The claim to reopen for a right knee disability has been granted and the Veteran now has a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective December 27, 2010. TDIU was also granted beginning December 27, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective April 27, 2009, has been granted. The effective date for service connection for sleep apnea is set at December 8, 2006. TDIU was also granted effective April 27, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent before March 10, 2017. The rating for PTSD with TBI on and after March 10, 2017 remains at 70 percent. Service connection for lung cancer, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are remanded. Total disability rating due to individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on both his initial rating and effective date claims.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment. Bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as there are questions about its current severity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Board denied service connection for right foot fungus and dismissed the claim of service connection for PTSD. The appeal regarding the cause of death is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to March 17, 2008 for PTSD is remanded due to procedural issues and the need to obtain medical records from the period between March 1995 and January 2008.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% and granted a higher rating of 70%. The decision also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, is granted as service connected. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing the condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for a back brace used due to her service-connected PTSD and other disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on any claimed stressor or fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.