PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of June 30, 1997. The decision is based on new evidence received in July 2010 that showed the Veteran participated in combat while stationed in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to corroborate the Veteran's claimed stressors and remands the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records, Vet Center records, and private treatment records. A psychiatric examination will also be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and depression. The Veteran needs a VA examination to address his lay statements and medical records.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia) have been denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors, and no relationship between current diagnoses and service. The claim for alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder has also been denied due to a finding that these conditions are secondary to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD, acne, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and gastrointestinal disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings was denied. The TDIU and SMC claims were granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend a scheduled VA examination for his PTSD claim. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to appear for an examination.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for an increased evaluation has been denied.,PTSD was initially granted with a 70% rating from June 26, 2007 to April 11, 2011. The Veteran appealed for a higher initial evaluation and earlier effective date. The claim is currently pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, particularly his PTSD diagnosis and its relationship to service. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to clarify these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and depression, as well as sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has found that remand is necessary due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including verification of in-service stressors and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his claim for TDIU based on the secondary service-connected psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from September 25, 2012 to August 11, 2015 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urethritis was denied. The rating for IVDS from August 15, 2007 to November 26, 2014 was granted at a 40 percent level. Other issues such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), erectile dysfunction, and SMC benefits were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. The claim for a low back disability was denied, but the effective date of the left knee chondromalacia patella rating is set at August 6, 2010.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70% effective July 18, 2011. The Board found that the increase in symptoms occurred on this date and granted an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims in a December 2018 written statement.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on several service connection issues, and the Board is dismissing those claims. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative ventral hernia with scar is being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, an unspecified anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder are found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service.