PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, a higher rating for PTSD, and SMC due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claims are currently before the Board.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was granted a 100% rating effective October 10, 2015. However, the claim for PTSD had an earlier effective date of March 21, 2011.,Service connection for hypertension and nerve damage to fingers were remanded.

The reduction in the Veteran’s rating for residuals of TBI from 10 percent to 0 percent was improper, and the prior rating is restored.,The criteria for an effective date earlier than October 17, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depression are not met.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s PTSD with major depression meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with PTSD is rated at 70 percent since October 1, 2001 and has been granted a higher rating. The Veteran was also found to be unemployable due to his service-connected psychiatric disability prior to April 27, 2009.

The Board denied entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death. The Appellant's countable income exceeded the maximum annual income allowed for the payment of death pension benefits, and her statements did not establish that a service-connected disability caused or materially contributed to the Veteran’s death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was denied, and her initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder was also denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the symptoms described do not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's headaches are not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, and the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.,Claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings for headaches and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were received on March 13, 2013. The evidence does not show an increase in these disabilities within one year prior to this date, so the earliest allowable date is March 13, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded as there are no treatment records related to his counseling for PTSD. The claim for TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and psychosis for the purpose of establishing eligibility to treatment pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1702 was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability of the left upper extremity was reopened and granted.,Other claims were remanded due to lack of complete application forms.,Service connection was restored for stress headaches, hypertension, valvular heart disease (mitral valve prolapse), iron deficiency anemia, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder sprain/strain, left shoulder sprain/strain, neck sprain and strain, right knee sprain/strain, left knee sprain/strain, right ankle sprain, right hallux valgus, left eye cortical cataract, acne, atrophic vaginitis, and OSA with CPAP.,The Veteran's service connection for fusion of the right fourth finger distal interphalangeal joint was denied as clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but his claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder as secondary to the right hip disorder was granted.,The effective date for the temporary total rating based on convalescence following right total hip replacement is being considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and anxiety. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to support service connection for PTSD. Further development is needed to corroborate a specific in-service stressor involving the suicide of a fellow service member named Walker at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 30 percent rating. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and/or PTSD (including any effects of medication used to treat it) caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary Major Depressive Disorder was increased to a 50% rating, effective December 29, 2010. An earlier effective date of May 9, 1996 for the grant of service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to clarify his psychiatric condition and its etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted, and the denial of service connection for a sleep disorder (PTSD-related) is upheld. The Veteran's PTSD disability rating from April 16, 2012 to June 20, 2015 was granted at 70%, but the total disability rating for PTSD during this period was denied. The restoration of a 10% disability rating for left leg sciatica with nerve impingement is also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new VA treatment records being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence regarding her PTSD diagnosis and insufficient information on other conditions. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to address these issues.