PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder in remission is granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective May 7, 2013. The appeal for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now considered on their merits. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, leading the Board to dismiss the case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism (claimed as thyroid problems), ischemic heart disease and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and requests another VA examination for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and multiple sclerosis was denied. The appeal also included a request for an earlier effective date for the grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound status, which was granted but with an effective date of August 14, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his preexisting psychiatric condition did not increase in severity during or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD was granted, but the claim itself remains denied. His adjustment disorder is now rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle arthrodesis, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia and total knee arthroplasty, posttraumatic stress disorder, left ankle arthroplasty, tinnitus, right hip degenerative joint disease, and left hip degenerative joint disease, are found to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has found that additional evidence needs to be considered before a final decision can be made on the claim for increased ratings for PTSD. The Veteran's VA treatment records and an updated VA examination are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, macular degeneration, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for HIV and residuals of a head injury are remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and it is now established that he has PTSD due to in-service personal assaults.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for kidney stones, sinus condition, and urethritis. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Manic-depressive disorder were denied in rating decisions from May 1995, July 2003, and March 2010. The appeal is based on new evidence submitted after the initial denial.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his SSA records and readjudicating them in light of all additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment prior to March 27, 2014. After that date, no single disability is rated as 100 percent disabling or solely responsible for his inability to work.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in previous decisions, but he filed a new claim to reopen his case on August 27, 2013. The Board found that the effective date cannot be earlier than the date of receipt of the reopened claim and denied an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The back and knee disabilities are remanded for additional examination.