PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board has found that further development is required due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and phobias, are related to his service in Vietnam. The examiner will assess whether these conditions are caused by or related to the Veteran's reported stressors during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current mental health issues are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and PTSD have been granted. The initial disability rating for PTSD prior to January 21, 2021 is granted at 70 percent, but a higher rating in excess of this level is denied.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied as he did not meet the qualifications for this benefit due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the required duration of total disability ratings. The cause of death claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) was denied. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation are being returned to the RO for additional review.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating greater than 30 percent prior to August 9, 2018, or greater than 50 percent thereafter, for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and trigeminal neuralgia (secondary to herbicide exposure). This includes verifying his combat experiences in Vietnam and Korea, scheduling a VA examination for PTSD, obtaining medical records for sleep apnea, and examining the Veteran for trigeminal neuralgia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder (in sustained remission) has been denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of his PTSD symptoms more closely approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than October 11, 2015 for the grant of TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as it cannot be factually ascertainable that he was unemployable within a year prior to his March 14, 2018 claim.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD since December 5, 2016, was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions, specifically PTSD and depression. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issue of an initial rating higher than 50 percent for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, chronic headaches, and psychiatric disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and orchialgia are remanded due to worsening symptoms. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent from March 8, 2016.