PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent prior to April 2, 2018 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board denied an increased rating in excess of these percentages.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of bilateral knee disability, residuals of carbon monoxide poisoning, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's cause of death is denied as his service-connected conditions did not contribute to it. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a facial injury, and headaches. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues include right ear hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, psychiatric disorders, lumbosacral strain, trochanteric bursitis, left ear hearing loss, deviated nasal septum, individual unemployability, and need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms warrant this rating and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities meeting the percentage requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation beginning December 11, 2013. His TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum available benefit under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's PTSD/bipolar I disorder is rated at a maximum of 100 percent, effective November 14, 2013. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied as the earliest date entitlement arose.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically PTSD and MDD. The case needs further development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and Depressive Disorder as there was no credible evidence supporting the occurrence of in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety is granted a rating of 50 percent, effective January 15, 2010. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted with an effective date of November 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because her service-connected PTSD does not significantly impair her employment. The Board has ordered a remand to conduct an additional functional capacity evaluation due to the worsening of her PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition, knee condition, and PTSD prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence showing that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to esophageal and gastric varices, and hepatitic C cirrhosis with portal hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder was reopened due to new evidence, and the Board has now granted this claim.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disorder is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU. The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The appeals for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) and hypertension are remanded.