PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) due to insufficient medical evidence. The claims will be further developed by obtaining current treatment records, scheduling VA examinations, and clarifying diagnoses.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, essential hypertension, bilateral renal cysts, prostate disability, high cholesterol, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's asbestos-related pleural disease, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD are all granted. The asbestos-related pleural disease is directly related to in-service exposure to asbestos. The bilateral hearing loss disability receives a rating of 50 percent effective April 6, 2018. The PTSD receives a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted a disability rating of 70 percent, effective July 10, 2008. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder was granted, and she is now entitled to these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and major depression with PTSD were not service-connected, but he was granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability. A TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities. The decision also notes that the Veteran likely cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including hypertension, varicose veins with PAD resulting from DVT, low back disability, neck disability, CAD with MI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, deviated left nasal septum, and malocclusion of the anterior maxilla.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his service in Okinawa, Japan. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has determined that a more recent examination is needed to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD, as the last evaluation was over seven years ago. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the PTSD rating claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied. The Board found that the earliest date on which a claim could be considered was September 9, 1993.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with effective dates and further examination is needed for left ankle, PTSD, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for 20 percent ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, as well as a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to December 9, 2011, is being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) prior to December 9, 2011, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's cause of death, congestive heart failure, is not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hearing loss, shoulder injuries, back pain, radiculopathy, and PTSD. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed for the Veteran's psychiatric, kidney, diverticulosis, and hypertension claims. The VA will attempt to verify a claimed in-service stressor and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.