PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 11, 2016, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the claim was not timely filed and thus the earliest possible effective date is January 11, 2016.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70%, meeting the threshold for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he was able to maintain part-time employment prior to his voluntary resignation.

The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating prior to February 15, 2018. The symptoms were considered insufficient to warrant such a high rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not cause significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his PTSD is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The Board grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, based on a finding that her symptoms are etiologically related to in-service sexual assaults.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder(s), bilateral knee disorder(s), and PTSD due to missing STRs, particularly those from Norfolk Naval Air Station and Mayport Branch NAS/Mayport Naval Base. The Veteran's in-service stressor related to witnessing a friend's suicide is also being investigated.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected PTSD, as well as other in-service factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further examination and analysis regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychological disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) and hypertensive vascular disease. The Veteran was provided with two VA examinations which concluded he did not have a DSM diagnosis of PTSD, but a private psychologist opined that he meets criteria for PTSD due to his time served in Southwest Asia where he was exposed to actual or threatened death or injury. For the hypertension claim, the Board finds that a remand is necessary as there are insufficient records to make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD are granted, while his claims for right hand disability and hypertension are denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, PTSD, and GERD have been granted. The initial rating for GERD has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective February 8, 2011. The decision also found that the Veteran’s symptoms and impairment caused by his PTSD more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied service connection for depressive disorder and dysthymia with nocturnal enuresis, and PTSD. The claim for PTSD was reopened but denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as they only approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating since August 21, 2013. His low back and bilateral foot disabilities have also been granted increased ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service records, and requests additional information from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to verify the Veteran's military service and PTSD connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his application to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD and MDD was granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the psychiatric disorder.