PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to potential changes in diagnoses and evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, but the claim is only granted on this basis.,Service connection for left hip disorder and right hip disorder have both been denied as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.,Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's original claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied in 2006, with no appeal received within one year. The current effective date is December 8, 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% prior to May 21, 2016 and denied for a rating in excess of 70%. The skin disorder case was remanded due to the need for an addendum VA opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied because there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in the medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the right knee disability and TDIU issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment from June 8, 2007 to May 1, 2010.

Service connection is granted for hemorrhoids and PTSD. The Veteran's headaches, right ear otitis media with vertigo, and left ear otitis media with vertigo are remanded for further review.,The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the Veteran’s claimed conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus to his military service.

A 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted, effective from June 17, 2005. An earlier effective date of March 8, 2011, for service connection of radiculopathy, left lower extremity is granted.,A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from March 8, 2011 to June 11, 2014. A higher rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination or opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records, an examination, and clarification of any SSDI benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, migraine headaches, or PTSD to a degree recognized as a disability for VA purposes. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The claim for increased evaluation of schizophrenia has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD) and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right thumb sprain and PTSD due to personal assault, but denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his in-service injuries or events.

Service connection is granted for anxiety disorder, NOS and PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% and his hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination. The tremors claim is also remanded to determine if they are related to service, Agent Orange exposure, or PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of seizures. Service connection is granted for COPD including emphysema, and the case is remanded for further evaluation on issues related to tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for PTSD, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a back disability and PTSD, as they need more information from VA and private sources.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, alcohol dependence, and major depressive disorder are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).