PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for insomnia as a symptom of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has also remanded this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% prior to November 14, 2008 and at 100% thereafter. The Board granted a 100% rating for PTSD from September 25, 2006 to November 14, 2008 due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several service connection claims, including those related to PTSD, hypertension, heart condition, back condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, bilateral feet peripheral neuropathy, and monoclonal gammopathy. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection was denied for cervical, low back, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have TBI or a vision problem at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, Gulf War Syndrome (to include psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and unexplained aches and pains), PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, as his service-connected disabilities may require such assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's request for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, including pursuit of a Juris Doctor (J.D.), is not supported by evidence in his file. The AOJ must ensure all relevant documents are obtained and associated with the claims file, obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, and contact the Veteran to gather additional information regarding his attempts at employment. A vocational rehabilitation evaluation should then be conducted to determine if the Veteran's proposed change of goal is feasible.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder, and the Board has remanded to clarify which prior procedural document he believes contains clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent from October 1, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The appeal for a higher rating above 70 percent since December 2, 2014, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and CVA have led to a neurological disability affecting his left hand, which is granted as secondary to these conditions. An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is also granted from March 28, 2013. A TDIU is granted from July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, while his sleep apnea claim is denied. The right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the passage of time since his last VA examination and his assertion that his symptoms have worsened.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection for PTSD, heart disability, eye disability, and lung disability have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychological disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and panic disorder, is at least as likely as not related to military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include posttraumatic stress disorder and residuals of a stroke claimed as extremity weakness and speech impediment. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee and right thumb scars was also denied.,There is no evidence linking the current conditions to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The appellant's left foot disability, acquired psychiatric condition (claimed as PTSD, anxiety), and bilateral hearing loss are all under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, was denied because the evidence did not establish that his condition was incurred in or related to active service. The claim has been previously denied and is now final.