PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD have been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

Service connection granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder.,Service connection denied for hepatitis B.,Service connection remanded for fatigue, diarrhea, skin rash, sleep disorder, stomach disorder, respiratory disorder, and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a right ankle disability were denied in November 2014, but he did not file a Notice of Disagreement within the one-year appeals period. He filed to reopen his claims in June 2016, which is when they became effective. The Board found that the evidence does not show entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depression is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder). The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression, is remanded due to the need for further examination and review of VA medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period, and he is granted TDIU effective December 1, 2017. Headaches, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are all remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted. The remaining issues of right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional VA or private treatment records and a readjudication.

The Board previously granted a 50% rating for the Veteran's PTSD, but the Court ordered it to be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide additional records from Christian Counseling Associates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 26, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, and he is also granted a TDIU. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's claims for GERD and IBS are remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether these conditions are related to Gulf War service. A VA examination is needed to determine if they qualify as presumptive disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded because the issues of his PTSD, back condition, and right leg condition need to be addressed first.

The Board has remanded the claims for accrued benefits and non-service connected death pension due to issues being inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating from May 6, 2011 to June 3, 2019. From June 4, 2019, forward, his PTSD has been rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 23, 2010 to November 2, 2016. The appeal for TDIU on and after November 2, 2016 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from May 26, 2009 to October 3, 2012. The Board granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) during this period.

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

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip strain is dismissed. The Board also finds that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran’s TBI and related ratings.