PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has dismissed the appeals for cervical strain, right shoulder disability, hypertension, and PTSD as the appellant withdrew his appeal with respect to these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and a request for a hearing.

The Veteran's NOD to the September 2013 rating decision was not timely filed, and her claims for increased rating for migraine headaches and service connection for respiratory/pulmonary condition, residuals of hysterectomy, and PTSD were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of PTSD was granted, and the effective date is set at February 5, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30% prior to January 20, 2015 and at 70% from that date. The appeal for a higher rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran has PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, which are service-connected based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining SSA records and issuing a Statement of Claim (SOC) regarding the effective date for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his combined evaluation is at least as likely as not that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and remanded the issues of PTSD rating and sleep disorder. The decision on these issues is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified stressor-related or depressive disorder. The appeal was also remanded for evaluations in excess of 20 percent for gastroparesis, as well as evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right ankle instability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied due to lack of evidence of a diagnosed condition. The Board found that the Veteran did not have PTSD or any other diagnosable psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the total knee arthroplasty with residual pain and weakness, is granted as service-connected. The issues of arthritis in all joints (excluding left shoulder and right knee), low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and PTSD due to potential inadequacies in the VA medical opinions provided. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the claim was filed on April 11, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for DM II was withdrawn by the Veteran during his April 2018 hearing. The heart disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure, workload greater than three METs but not greater than five METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or LVEF of 30 to 50 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claims are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the current severity and etiology of his bilateral upper and lower extremity conditions. The PTSD claim is also remanded due to the Veteran's recent complaints of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since October 21, 2010. The Board has now granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and her active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and agoraphobia is granted. The left foot disorder claim is remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his PTSD did not contribute to his heart disorders and thus was not a proximate or contributing cause in his death.