PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's account of a sexual assault during military service is credible and that his symptoms are related to this event.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension have been reopened, with the latter being granted. The claim for right eye hordeolum has been denied.,Service connection is established for bilateral knee disorders and bilateral foot disorders, but these claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, PTSD, bronchitis, migraines, left knee tendonitis, tinnitus, right knee tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis are service-connected. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to July 15, 2012 did not result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as depressed mood.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, right hand/finger disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), back disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The Board has also determined that additional development is needed to address these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or another acquired psychiatric disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the initial rating for PTSD with mild neurocognitive disorder and traumatic brain injury. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar, depression, and/or anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, residuals of a stroke, and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) are denied.,The Veteran’s claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss is remanded due to the passage of time since the last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to his failure to report to a VA examination. The case is being returned for further development and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's ED is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and hypertension were dismissed. The appeals to reopen service connection claims for right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's employment history and VA/privately obtained treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being considered as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent evaluation, but the appeal is remanded for further consideration of TDIU.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities (PTSD) is also being considered.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating from May 30, 2016 through September 8, 2019. Since September 9, 2019, his symptoms have met the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him helpless and in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if he meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder, and whether these conditions are related to service.