PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened on June 17, 1977. The effective date of this grant is set to June 17, 1977.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to December 8, 2016 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for PTSD are denied. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military service, and the Veteran's mental health issues do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 16, 2014 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for service connection for a pulmonary disability were denied. The Board also found that remand was necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a skin disability, have been denied. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of trauma with strain right shoulder, residuals of trauma with cervical spine degenerative disease, and residuals of trauma with headaches. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for the propriety of reducing the evaluation for prostate cancer residuals from 100 percent to 60 percent and for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 5, 2017 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum non-compensable rating. The Veteran also received a grant for TDIU based on his service-connected conditions and unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to consider whether the Veteran is eligible for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for PTSD, evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain, evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities and determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU rating prior to June 5, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not show that his employment was marginal due to service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran had substantial gainful employment and earned income above the poverty threshold.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type 2; peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities; and PTSD are being remanded for further evaluation due to potential worsening since the last VA evaluations in August 2014.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was withdrawn, and the appeal is dismissed.,Service connection granted for left and right foot plantar fasciitis. The condition is considered to have first manifested during service.,Service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss. The condition is attributed to exposure to hazardous noise during service.,The Veteran's claim for rectal colon polyps, post-operative, remains pending as remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the provision of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if he has any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and whether they are related to his military service. The SSA records must also be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, eye disorders, fatigue disorder, GERD, IBS, and migraines. The VA will obtain missing service treatment records and provide additional examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for PTSD before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent effective from December 30, 2014 to April 6, 2016.