PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% initial rating, and he is also awarded TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information from a previous VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed to clarify the relevance of psychological test results. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD needs to be re-evaluated for a rating determination.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 100% since October 18, 2012, and other service-connected disabilities combined to meet the criteria for a TDIU from May 1, 2015. Effective October 27, 2012, SMC at the housebound rate was granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent, effective from September 7, 2012. The appeal for a TDIU is dismissed as the PTSD alone renders the issue moot.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal for issues related to TDIU, right shoulder limitation of motion, frequent dislocations, lumbosacral spine disability, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee disability have been remanded for further evaluation due to new evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU as he did not show total occupational and social impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, due to conflicting opinions from the VA examiner regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high blood pressure, heart disability associated with herbicide exposure, and PTSD have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The rating for PTSD remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for posttraumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence that was not reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA and SSA records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), restless leg syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,The Veteran's PTSD is not considered related to in-service stressors as he did not provide information about the events or situations that could be considered stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for PTSD, L5 bulging disc with arthritis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective dates for these conditions remain pending.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but the claim for service connection for bladder cancer and TDIU is being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney.

The Veteran's appeal to increase his rating for PTSD from 30 percent to a higher percentage has been remanded due to the need for further development, including a more contemporaneous examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and depression, is granted service connection due to exposure to combat during Operation Just Cause in Panama.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 23, 2013 was denied as the combined rating of his service-connected conditions did not meet the percentage requirements for an award of TDIU and there was no evidence showing he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a rating of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to November 2, 2018, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's TBI symptoms are separable from his PTSD and depression. The claim will also be reviewed to determine if referral is necessary for an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than GERD and bipolar disorder with PTSD is denied. An effective date prior to April 8, 2013 for service connection of bipolar disorder with PTSD is also denied. The initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD from April 8, 2013 to February 12, 2014 and a 100 percent rating starting from February 13, 2014 are granted. The Veteran's GERD and unemployability prior to February 13, 2014 claims are remanded.