PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the appellant's claim for retroactive payment of DEA benefits prior to December 17, 2012 due to her untimely application.,The Board also denied the appellant's request for a good cause extension to extend the filing period for her application for DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, hypertension, and stroke residuals due to in-service exposure. The claims are also being reopened as new evidence supports reopening of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and thus not meeting the first element required for any grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he did not have a factual need for such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a verifiable stressor and insufficient continuity of care to support a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma stress disorder (claimed as PTSD) is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed due to the passage of time and changes in symptoms, leading to remand.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as well as for attempts to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The claim for tinnitus remains denied, and the skin cancer claims are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, residuals of left ankle fracture, hypertension, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and erectile dysfunction) cause damage to his clothing due to the use of prescribed braces. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year based on this evidence.

The Board has vacated its August 2019 decision denying service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue to allow further development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU prior to February 6, 2019 is granted due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to concerns about the impact of medication on the Veteran's ability to work.

The Board has denied service connection for a skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), left foot disorder, and low back disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, granting him a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his PTSD, as his symptoms do not warrant a 50% or higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Veteran's increased ratings for PTSD, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for further VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is etiologically related to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.