PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder is granted, as the Board found that his current diagnosis and reported stressor are consistent with his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor events and the need for further examination to determine if he meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) as there was no credible evidence of a stressor and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and keratosis pilaris, have resulted in total occupational impairment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 8, 2013 to November 17, 2018 due to service-connected PTSD and COPD. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100 percent rating, and the issues of TDIU and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood/anxiety disorder, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the onset of her mental health problems during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 7, 2011. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence showing it was caused by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for reopening the sleep apnea claim is granted, but the secondary theory of service connection is not met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, should be remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, and the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder (claimed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD to include major depressive disorder are granted. The appeals for service connection for psychosis, allergies, bilateral hand tremors, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, dry skin, and hearing loss have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with the terms of a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded, as well as his TDIU prior to September 13, 2016.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Board has restored the 10 percent ratings for thoracolumbar strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability effective September 1, 2014.,The TBI rating was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective October 28, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle disorder, left hand disorder, and psychiatric disorder due to missing records and inadequate reports of VA examinations. The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits were terminated effective May 1, 2012, based on excessive income that included receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits and military retirement pension.