PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. His chronic low back pain with DDD and radiculopathy have also been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, dysarthria, right knee degenerative joint disease, and bilateral pes planus, are deemed to be of sufficient severity to render him practically unemployable. As a result, the Board has granted total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased rating for a left shoulder disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and urinary tract disorders have been remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for left testicular varicocele remains denied.

The Veteran's TDIU was based on multiple disabilities, including musculoskeletal and PTSD. The Board found that this did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) because it did not involve a single disability rated as total.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD due to new and material evidence submitted. However, the claim is remanded as a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-5.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and records. The case will be returned to the Board after these are obtained.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for Fournier’s gangrene, right leg nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD due to the lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's additional disabilities were caused by carelessness, negligence, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to consider a VA examination from April 2015 in their decision. The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for PTSD, but the AOJ did not explicitly address this examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to render him materially less capable of resisting his heart disease, which caused his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected diabetes and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA medical records. The Board also ordered VA examinations to determine if the Veteran has each of his claimed disabilities, including whether any preexisting conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, but not higher.,The Veteran’s Atopic Diathesis was denied as it did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as he does not have a current disability recognized for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction, residuals of failed ileoanal reservoir, and PTSD are all denied due to lack of causation by VA care or treatment.,The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of recurrent ventral hernia repair is denied as there was no additional disability caused by VA care or treatment.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded, indicating further development may be needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are service-connected. However, the claims for insomnia remain pending as they are related to his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including deviated septum, chronic/allergic rhinitis, radiculopathy, PTSD, and a psychiatric disorder, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current diagnosis or insufficient link between symptoms and service.

The Veteran's PTSD and PDD have not been manifested by total occupational and social impairment at any point of the appeal period, so an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened, and he is now entitled to a 70 percent rating for PTSD. He also received TDIU benefits.