PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to his withdrawal. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss with Meniere’s disease, and right ear hearing loss with Meniere’s disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, notably his PTSD and low back disability, were found to be sufficiently incapacitating as to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from December 1, 2013 to February 24, 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after certification to the Board and the Veteran's request for AOJ consideration.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets regulatory criteria.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a higher rating as the severity of his condition has increased since his last examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of PTSD, MDD, and OCD, as well as his claim for TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, and left shoulder disability were denied. The case is remanded to determine the nature of any hip disability.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. However, the Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions or any in-service event, injury, or illness. The claim for heart disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining employment information and VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a new VA examination to assess his current level of disability.

Service connection for PTSD and secondary substance abuse disorder is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction from July 17, 2014 through April 13, 2018 and from August 1, 2018 through June 25, 2019 is denied. A rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction from June 26, 2019 is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 29, 2014 did not preclude him from performing gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience otherwise qualify him.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to the grant of TDIU. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues with the character of the Veteran's discharge from service and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD, alcohol dependence, and unspecified depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire period on appeal, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, prostate disorder (including residuals of prostate cancer and residuals of prostate surgery), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder) due to incomplete development.