PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) as it was not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted, effective December 23, 2013. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating and earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was also addressed.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as natural causes. The Board found that his service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his PTSD.

The VA has added new evidence to the claims file since the last decision, and a remand is required for the AOJ to consider this evidence in a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeal for the issues of effective dates earlier than January 26, 2014 for service connection granted for allergic rhinitis, plantar fasciitis, right foot injury with arthritis, and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to February 21, 2017 and at 70 percent since then.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records, including from SSA. The Veteran's right hip disability claim is being remanded due to a lack of information to corroborate his in-service stressor. His psychiatric disorder claims are also being remanded as there may be outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded due to new evidence received after the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment within one year prior to his July 14, 2010 claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by septic shock due to an unknown hospital acquired infection, which the Board finds likely related to his service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent for the period prior to January 25, 2013 and granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete examinations and insufficient evidence. The Veteran's hypertension, tremors, cardiac dysrhythmia, and posttraumatic stress disorder are all under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the in-service event causing his PTSD was due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also received a grant for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD prior to June 26, 2017 was dismissed as he withdrew his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, COPD, and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS due to lack of proper appeal action on these issues. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development on the issues of service connection for glaucoma, heart disorder, hypertension, and sleep apnea.