PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not establish an in-service stressor event. The Board found that while the Veteran had been diagnosed with PTSD, there was insufficient evidence to corroborate the claimed events.,Service connection for hypertension due to service-connected disease or injury was also denied because the Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is currently rated at 50 percent disabling beginning May 6, 2011. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran would have been in receipt of a TDIU for at least 10 years preceding his death due to service-connected PTSD, had the effective date of his TDIU not been incorrectly assigned. The Board has now granted entitlement to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The appeal for other psychiatric and orthopedic conditions is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the inextricably intertwined issues of service connection and whether the Appellant has status as a veteran for VA purposes. The AOJ is instructed to request specific details from the Appellant regarding his claimed disabilities and their potential relationship to his military service, including which periods of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA he believes are relevant.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability and PTSD, was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to support reopening these claims.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, left knee disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for service connection of various conditions was not filed within one year of his daughters' 18th birthdays, and thus an earlier effective date could not be granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating for PTSD, but concluded he is unable to secure or follow any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and/or anxiety; for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his psychiatric disorders; and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in a January 31, 2012 rating decision. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision and determined that the effective date should be October 29, 2013, when the Veteran first requested to reopen his previously denied claim.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's stroke residuals are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in November 2008, and she filed an informal claim on June 19, 2013. The Board found that the effective date of her service connection should be dated from the date of her informal claim (June 19, 2013), as no earlier effective date is legally permissible.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression, has been reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral shoulder and low back disorders are remanded.

The Board has denied an increased rating for PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms and impairment were found to be more nearly approximating occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating. The appeal for higher ratings or an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to the current level of impairment.