PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of his disabilities, including anxiety disorder, depression, TBI, PTSD, and low back disability, require additional evidence and a re-evaluation. The claims are being remanded to obtain missing VA records, conduct further examinations, and determine the appropriate evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for anxiety, depression, and/or PTSD related to military sexual trauma.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the need for aid and attendance was due to non-service connected disabilities, specifically a stroke.

The Veteran's PTSD with panic attacks and TBI is currently rated at a certain level, but he believes it should be higher. The VA has not received all of his recent treatment records to make an accurate determination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A new VA examination is required as the previous one did not consider the possibility of a current diagnosis of PTSD and may have been incomplete.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and migraines due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial of these claims.,However, the claims are still being remanded as further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD) and his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

Service connection for PTSD with insomnia and depression is granted.,Secondary service connection for a left wrist disability (crepitus and distal radius abnormality) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder rating is also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not related to in-service stressors, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for left thumb condition was denied as the new evidence did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for PTSD and trypanophobia were both denied due to lack of diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance as his disabilities are not so severe that he requires regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence currently of record to decide whether he is entitled to Self-Employment Category 1 designation. The matter will be further evaluated by a VRC or CP.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for a 50 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bangs and bruises, hearing loss, residuals of frostbite, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) have been dismissed due to withdrawal by his representative in November 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including PTSD, back disorder, skin disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder, upper extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective December 1, 2017. The Board finds that the disability picture presented on the whole meets (or at least approximates) the schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating under Code 9411.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, bladder and kidney disabilities, PTSD, and hypertension. The appeals are all denied.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military activity during his deployment in Iraq.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left knee subluxation, bowel incontinence and rectal prolapse. The Veteran is also seeking an initial evaluation for PTSD.