PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically whether his unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's depressive disorder and any other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service, including combat service in Iraq.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 70% rating, Diverticulitis is granted with a 10% rating, and Skin Disability (Alopecia) is granted with a 10% rating. The claim for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder other than porphyria cutanea tarda, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 18, 2017, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but dismissed the claim of dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100% since February 8, 2011, due to symptoms including hypervigilance, severe irritability, difficulties with impulse control, social isolation, an exaggerated startle response, nightmares, poor sleep, recurrent intrusive disturbing thoughts of trauma, and decreased interest or pleasure in activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss) do not render him unable to secure or retain substantially gainful employment.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed. Effective dates are denied for PTSD and left shoulder subluxation/capsular shift. Bilateral hearing loss remains remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 27, 2012, for service connection of PTSD because no formal or informal claim was received by VA prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of October 16, 2012. The Board found that the disability manifested prior to the filing of his claim to reopen and thus determined that the earlier effective date of October 16, 2012 is appropriate.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is restored to 50 percent, and SMC based on housebound status is also restored. However, the issue of a more than 50 percent rating for PTSD remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD, service connection for Parkinson’s disease, and TDIU were dismissed as the substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the September 2015 statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for SSA disability records and a readjudication of his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of evidence related to the honorable period of service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including PTSD, has been reopened and granted on the merits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) for the entire period on appeal, as her symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and cervical spine disability) render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.