PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's application to reopen claims of service connection for gastrointestinal disability, PTSD, and hypertension has been granted. The claim for a 100% rating for schizophrenia is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not manifest as occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, so his claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a gastrointestinal disability due to outstanding evidence and further development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 13, 1997 for service connection of PTSD is granted. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded as they depend on the assignment of an initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as there was no current diagnosis of such disorders. The new evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with psychotic features, effective February 12, 2007. The Veteran's condition is characterized as complex PTSD with psychotic features.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, but the Board has also remanded for further consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD (to include adjustment disorder and depressive disorder), and whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for malaria were dismissed.,The issue of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder remains on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 12, 2016. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left shoulder rotator cuff tear with labral tear. The Veteran's claims will be further developed to attempt to verify his reported stressors and provide him with VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD from March 1, 2016 is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess current symptoms and severity.

The Veteran's PTSD with opioid dependence has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective January 28, 2014. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and ischemic heart disease, as well as TDIU were dismissed due to the claimant's death.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is also being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and social anxiety dysfunction.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for PTSD as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran’s service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder. The Veteran is asked to provide a new examination or addendum opinion that considers his statements of continuity of symptoms and the testimony from his sister.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding initial ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, migraine headaches, and TBI. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from September 11, 2014. The appeal for an earlier effective date was withdrawn.