PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has found that the Veteran's son, D.F.B., was permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 due to psychiatric and behavioral disabilities. The case involving J.W.B. is remanded as his length of incarceration and sentence details are unclear.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The left knee scars are rated at 10 percent, right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and the Veteran was granted new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection of various conditions including PTSD, depressive disorder, sleep apnea, gastritis, GERD, and others.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on increased severity since the last examination.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression is granted. A rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability is denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and new issues were dismissed. The Board found no error in the RO’s decisions regarding PTSD, left knee disability, and right hand disabilities.

The appeal as to PTSD is dismissed. Service connection for dry eye syndrome, secondary to service-connected bilateral pinguecula, is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a left eye corneal scar is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded. The claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of cholecystectomy is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment since April 22, 2009. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as PTSD and other than bipolar disorder, is related to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is found to be attributable to service, specifically the motor vehicle accident she experienced during her military service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MST. The issues include service connection, pre-existing condition aggravation, in-service onset of a psychiatric disorder, administrative separation recommendation causality, and hospitalization causality.

The Veteran's MDD with PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective April 27, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an updated VA examination of the Veteran's PTSD, as his symptoms may have worsened since the last evaluation.

The Board has found that the Veteran was not diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, PTSD, or a depressive disorder during his period of service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be at least as likely as not related to the physical assaults he experienced during his service, and therefore service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and schizoaffective disorder are related to in-service military sexual trauma (MST), and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but remanded the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent, and her constrictive bronchiolitis with exercise induced asthma was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 31, 2016, and then increased to 60 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and several joint conditions, require the need for aid and attendance due to his inability to dress himself and manage his daily needs.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of PTSD, and for an addendum opinion regarding the impact of PTSD on employment prior to August 10, 2012. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to their potential impact on each other.