PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained for a proper evaluation of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of PTSD and an earlier effective date was denied. The Board also remanded several other issues, including a claim for TDIU based on PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for post traumatic headaches, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hand tremors, and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD and the need for a new medical opinion on the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since June 29, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms of reduced reliability and productivity due to anxiety, depressed mood, suspiciousness, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances have not more closely approximated the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating and TDIU due to conflicting opinions regarding his PTSD symptoms and their impact on his ability to work. The VA is required to obtain updated medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence submitted since the May 2011 decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome and PTSD are granted initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service stressors and his disabilities combine to at least 70% impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was denied, while his schizophrenia received a 70% disability rating effective from May 11, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder, are being reviewed again with a focus on verifying stressors and considering secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent from December 10, 2012. From November 8, 2017, the rating was increased to 70 percent. The appeal for a higher initial rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are dismissed. The appeal for service connection of pes planus with plantar fasciitis is granted, but the appeal for service connection of an abnormal heart is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, hypertension, ED, sleep apnea, and unspecified sleep disorders have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the required criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any of these conditions.,Service connection was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of PTSD or any of the other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent rating from October 28, 2014; and increased to a 70 percent rating prior to August 13, 2015. The VA has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the period prior to August 13, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 18, 2014 for TDIU and DEA benefits due to lack of substantial gainful employment.