PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an increased evaluation for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection, and concluded that the Veteran’s current disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any tinnitus and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (l) level based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities from April 19, 2007, to March 19, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a TDIU claim. The Board finds the severity of his bipolar disorder does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and compensable evaluations for various scars, as well as service connection for sleep apnea and a back disorder. The issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the back disability and radiculopathy claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to the lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depression is being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records after the August 2018 SOC.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, as his reported stressors are consistent with his service and related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. The Board finds that the Veteran's lay testimony alone establishes the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse due to insufficient reasons and bases in the previous decision. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder as secondary to his service-connected PTSD, finding that there is an even balance of evidence supporting this determination.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for being housebound prior to February 4, 2013 is denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a single permanent disability rated at 100% or meet the criteria of being permanently housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis, credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, and a causal relationship between the symptoms and the claimed stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, obsessive compulsive behavior, depression, mood disorder, suicidal tendencies and anxiety was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his symptoms do not necessitate such assistance. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of current rating criteria and failure to consider evidence post-dating 1988 that may warrant a higher initial rating. The Veteran's mental disabilities must be evaluated under all applicable rating criteria, including older criteria in effect prior to February 3, 1988.