PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and scheduling him for a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and SMC based on housebound status due to insufficient evidence in their previous decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support a current diagnosis of PTSD or any link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of her service-connected PTSD. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim and must be remanded as well.

The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims are being remanded due to the need for additional records, specifically SSA disability income records.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for PTSD has been dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to unverified in-service stressors and events, requiring further development including obtaining deck logs of the USS Gunston Hall.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 12, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting additional examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's incarceration and allegations of stressor events. The claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's left shoulder sprain is rated at 20 percent and the appeal is remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted based on additional evidence or considerations.,The Veteran's claims for acquired psychiatric disability, respiratory disability, and IBS are remanded as no VA examinations have been conducted yet. The examiner should assess whether these conditions are related to service.,The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability due to service in Southwest Asia is remanded as no VA examination has been conducted yet. The examiner should assess whether this condition is related to service.,The Veteran's claim for IBS due to service in Southwest Asia is remanded as no VA examination has been conducted yet. The examiner should assess whether this condition is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol use disorder are being remanded for further examination to determine the severity of his conditions, their relationship, and whether he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were remanded due to the lack of a copy of the February 2016 letter of determination and incomplete vocational rehabilitation files. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these documents, associate them with the electronic claims file, and arrange for a functional capacity evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of service connection earlier than April 16, 2013 for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied. The Veteran's increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted and effective from April 16, 2013. The case is remanded for further action on TDIU and SMC.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination. The TDIU issue is also being deferred until after the PTSD issues are resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD disability was granted a 70% rating from June 14, 2007 to June 14, 2017. A TDIU was also granted from January 30, 2008 to June 14, 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The denial of PTSD is based on the lack of a current diagnosis meeting DSM-5 criteria, while the grant of bilateral hearing loss is due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance from January 23, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities making his daily environment hazardous.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD and a bilateral hip disability. The decision found that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service and that any current hip disability is not secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion on PTSD diagnosis criteria, secondary service connection claim, in-service stressor confirmation, and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.