PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD. The decision is based on the merits of each claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and for further development regarding an earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left ankle disorder is granted, with a 20% rating effective October 25, 2018. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cause of death, finding that metastatic prostate cancer was the primary cause and there was no evidence linking it to service. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the August 2018 opinion and a need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the cause was not related to active service or any incident of service, including as due to a service-connected disability. The Board noted conflicting medical opinions and found insufficient evidence to support the Appellant's claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% since May 15, 2015. His other service-connected conditions (Hearing Loss and Tinnitus) are rated as 30% and 10%, respectively. The combined rating of his service-connected disabilities meets the schedular criteria for consideration of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for headaches was granted. Service connection for PTSD, neurocognitive disorder, and marijuana use disorder as secondary to TBI disability is also granted. However, service connection for dizziness/vertigo, allergic rhinitis, and headaches is denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for headaches was granted.,Service connection for PTSD, neurocognitive disorder and marijuana use disorder as secondary to TBI disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and the need for a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period of August 11, 2014 to September 2, 2014. Therefore, entitlement to TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to outstanding service treatment records and a need for additional examinations. The AOJ must obtain these records and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of temporomandibular joint disease has been dismissed as the attorney withdrew it.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, and a 10 percent disability rating for right ankle sprain is granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, and a 10 percent disability rating for right ankle sprain is granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that updated VA treatment records should be obtained and a new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his condition.

Service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury was denied.,Initial increased ratings of 10% each were granted for Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy prior to October 11, 2018, and Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy prior to October 11, 2018.,The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for Hemorrhoids.,Effective dates of November 1, 2011 were granted for service connection of Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy and Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy. The effective date for service connection of Hemorrhoids was denied.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is granted as it is directly related to his service, specifically witnessing rocket attacks and seeing dead bodies during supply runs in Saudi Arabia.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, finding that the previous severance decisions were improper due to errors in determining the character of the Appellant's service.