PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's spouse was awarded spousal dependency benefits effective from August 22, 1998. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of marriage in March 2001 and granted an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted for the Veteran’s PTSD at any point during the appeal period.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses and their relationship to service. The Veteran is advised that he should file a separate claim for any residuals of his alleged head injury in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for service connection of PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD because the in-service stressors were found to be due to the Veteran's own willful misconduct, and there was no credible supporting evidence of their occurrence.

The Veteran's ED was denied as not being service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was caused by his PTSD.,PTSD was also denied for an increased rating, with the Board finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The decision is based on inadequate examination and opinion regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and a need for further evidence from private providers.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and a psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia and PTSD) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are also remanded to verify if the Veteran served in the Persian Gulf and to determine if he is eligible for presumptive service connection for fibromyalgia.

Your headaches have been rated at 50 percent since April 1, 2012. This is the maximum rating available for your condition.,Your PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since April 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and right leg amputation were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other causative factors. The psychiatric claim was denied due to lack of verifiable stressors.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent since November 18, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD and low back strain.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim during a videoconference hearing.,Service connection for a right wrist condition is denied because there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or a current disability related to service-connected conditions. The Veteran’s assertions regarding a fall and a prior injury are not supported by medical records.,Service connection for a sinus condition is denied as the Veteran does not have any documented symptoms or diagnoses related to this condition during his active duty.,Service connection for teeth and jaw numbness is denied because there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury, and the Veteran’s current symptoms are not linked to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the right forearm and hand, and right knee status post meniscal tear, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment prior to August 8, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and increased the Veteran's rating for anxiety disorder to 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective January 12, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of a diagnosed condition related to service. For TDIU, the Veteran's education and work experience were considered, but his service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for PTSD, depression, and flatfeet was granted. The claim for PTSD is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's cause of death was suicide, and the Board found that his service-connected disability did not contribute to his death. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.