PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and a mood disorder, as well as COPD due to herbicide exposure. Additional evidence is needed from VA and Social Security Administration records, and a medical opinion is required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his PTSD claim, were granted. The initial rating for PTSD was denied, but the Veteran received a higher rating of 50 percent effective March 23, 2011. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent since July 10, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA mental health examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder had its onset in service or is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted payment or reimbursement of medical expenses for the Veteran's emergency treatment at Lower Bucks Hospital on October 18, 2012, and November 21, 2012. The conditions were considered an emergency due to the severity of symptoms and the distance from VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

Service connection is granted for headaches, PTSD, and low back strain. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disability is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his employability due to service-connected major depressive disorder. A new VA examination is needed to determine the effects of this condition on his ability to work.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of impaired judgment, impulse control and suicidal ideation. The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD but finds that the issues of a higher rating and TDIU must be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and hypertension are denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with a rating of at least 50 percent prior to January 15, 2018, but the issue is remanded for further development regarding an evaluation in excess of 50 percent beginning January 15, 2018.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and history of organic brain syndrome, is rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and TDIU benefits has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he is deceased.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to appellate review for the issues of service connection for PTSD, cirrhosis, Hepatitis C and follicular lymphoma.

The Veteran's other specified trauma disorder warrants a rating of 70 percent throughout the entire period of the claim. The Board has determined that the Veteran’s PTSD most nearly approximates the criteria associated with a 70 percent evaluation.

The Board restored service connection for GERD and granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to GERD. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities were rated as 100 percent effective November 29, 2004. The appellant seeks DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for cause of death due to PTSD. The Board finds the claims are inextricably intertwined and remands for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for medical opinions regarding service connection for cause of death.