PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the provided medical opinion is inadequate and requires an addendum to address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD, as well as if it is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran is entitled to a 70 percent rating for the period on appeal and also meets the schedular criteria for entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) has been dismissed as she requested to withdraw her appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records and need for updated medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of multiple sclerosis and remanded his claims regarding PTSD, SMC eligibility, and housing assistance due to conflicting evidence and need for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, CAD, and diabetes) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his use of medication for PTSD, resulting in OSA. The Veteran also has a 100% rating for PTSD from December 11, 2010, to October 23, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incongruent diagnoses and evaluations of his mental health condition, specifically regarding PTSD. The VA will need to schedule a new examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, headaches, and right clavicle disability have been denied. The Veteran is currently assigned the maximum 50 percent schedular rating for PTSD and headaches, but not for his right clavicle disability.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board has decided to remand for further medical opinion regarding whether his PTSD contributed to his death or if his esophageal cancer was due to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric and endocrine examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to her military service. Specifically, there is a need for an addendum VA psychiatric opinion addressing whether she experienced harassment in service and if any acquired psychiatric disorder or heart condition are related to that experience.

The Veteran's PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are currently rated at 70 percent. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment due to these conditions. The Veteran also sought a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities but was denied as she is able to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are granted. The claim for the low back disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's primary diagnosis was alcohol abuse and not PTSD. The claim is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor or causal link to current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at 70 percent since September 19, 2013. The effective date for the rating of 70 percent is set as December 10, 2009. Effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility are also set as December 10, 2009.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for award of a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, CAD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.