PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine and knee degenerative joint disease, tendon repair of the right wrist, hypertension, headaches, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from August 23, 2011 to November 8, 2016. The rating is denied as the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete examination and the need for a new opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of head trauma is dismissed. The Veteran's headaches are granted as a current disability resulting from an in-service injury. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and/or PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding its relationship to service. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current mental health conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD was restored as the evidence did not show improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder and GERD have not been established.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for PTSD, anxiety, and depression was denied. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's former attorney was awarded $10,749.97 in attorney fees for services provided during the appeal of his PTSD claim. The decision grants this payment and denies the Veteran's attempt to prevent it.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressors of witnessing three soldiers overdose and being physically assaulted are credible and consistent with his reports. The Board also found that there is a link between these stressors and his current PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Her acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is found to be related to her military service.