The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder and anxiety are not entitled to separate ratings as their symptoms overlap.,Service connection for malignant prostate is denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or any other service-connected disability.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran has a current lumbar spine condition warranting increased ratings, and whether he has a sleeping disorder related to his PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleeping disorder secondary to PTSD is remanded. An examination is also required to assess the relationship between any diagnosed sleep disorder and service-connected conditions.,A TDIU rating is remanded as development ordered above could result in relevant information being obtained.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD overlap significantly, making separate ratings inappropriate under VA regulations.,There is no evidence linking the malignant prostate condition to service or any other service-connected disability. The claim must be denied as there is insufficient evidence.,VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran has a current lumbar spine condition warranting increased ratings and whether he has a sleeping disorder related to his PTSD.,The relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed sleep disorder and his PTSD needs to be evaluated, along with any other service-connected conditions that may affect it. An examination is required for this purpose.,Development of the TDIU claim requires an evaluation of the Veteran's current disability status and its impact on employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major depressive disorder, Anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19175926
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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