PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder were denied. The claim for PTSD was denied due to the absence of a confirmed diagnosis, while the depressive disorder claim had its assigned rating reduced.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as new opinions regarding the etiology of her bruxism, GERD, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for additional development. The service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also being remanded, but with a request for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to December 10, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's assertions of worsening PTSD symptoms since his last VA examination in April 2016. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and his anxiety disorder was granted a 30% rating from December 1, 2010 to October 15, 2013. His other specified and trauma-related disorder was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified in-service stressors and a medical nexus, despite new evidence showing continued treatment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination to clarify diagnoses and determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and sleep apnea, finding that new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran lacks a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and there is no nexus between the Veteran’s claimed sleep apnea and his service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claims for sleep apnea and PTSD was granted. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied, while the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (initially claimed as PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD).,Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is also being remanded.

The Veteran's daughter, the Appellant, is granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal for housebound status is moot as SMC based on aid and attendance is the greater benefit.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain outstanding SSA records related to the appellant's claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating prior to October 24, 2012. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for high blood pressure is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for cluster headaches is granted.,An effective date prior to September 27, 2012 for the award of service connection for depressive disorder is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD could not be earlier than September 18, 2013, when the Veteran first met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied as without legal merit. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine whether the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen any of the previously denied claims.