PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms, as he has indicated they have worsened since his last evaluation in 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD that conforms to DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran's VR&E services appeal is remanded due to the change in his service-connected disabilities and ratings, making it unclear if he currently meets the criteria for an employment handicap.

The Veteran's hypertension, limited motion of the jaw, and PTSD are all granted. The Veteran is awarded a rating in excess of 40 percent for his limited motion of the jaw, but not for his hypertension or PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and PTSD remain remanded due to incomplete records and unverified stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted, but the case is remanded for further consideration regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claim to exclude the cost of maintaining her cats from her countable income for VA nonservice-connected pension purposes is denied as they do not qualify as service animals and are therefore not considered medical expenses.

The Veteran's right eye cataract, left and right great toe degenerative changes, PTSD, lumbar strain, hypertension, hiatal hernia with reflux, and flat feet have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral plantar fasciitis and PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the TDIU claim are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions and his service. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to in-service stressors or other service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for dementia and PTSD with depression is granted as secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease and dementia, respectively. The Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate or higher will be adjudicated.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, atypical depression NOS, GERD, menstrual disorder, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, bilateral hip disorder, and anemia have been granted. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to a previously denied claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a headache disability (due to PTSD), diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, sleep disability, prostate disability, and psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 15, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as evaluations for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The remand requires obtaining additional VA treatment records, translating a Spanish service record, scheduling a new psychiatric examination, and providing opinions on the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to clarify the severity of his condition and determine if he should be assigned a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD claim and TDIU claim are both remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered.