PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's brain tumor residuals are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits application documents. The Veteran's employment information is also requested.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, has been granted. The appeal to reopen the pension claim was also granted, but the higher rate of pension is denied due to the Veteran's income.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, a depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder, is granted. The claim remains pending as the May 17, 2017, VA Form 9 constitutes a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as there is insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for depression was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding sufficient evidence to link his current diagnosis of PTSD to in-service stressors. The Veteran was awarded service connection based on new and material evidence submitted after previous denials.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy and PTSD have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have worsened, necessitating new evaluations to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and coronary artery disease rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 26, 2014. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his disabilities.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, denied reopening of a previously denied claim for left-hand condition, and denied service connection for left-arm condition as secondary to left-hand condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and PTSD, finding no evidence of in-service injury or stressor. The Veteran's diagnoses were established post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. The claims for service connection for dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder are also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent since October 30, 2009. The claim for additional compensation benefits for his spouse has been granted but the effective date of November 1, 2009 was established based on the Compensation Rate Table. The initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to August 24, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than October 19, 2012 for the grants of service connection of PTSD, dyshidrotic eczema of the hands, and thoracolumbar spine strain are being remanded due to a missing VA medical record indicating an informal claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,His back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 29, 2014 and then granted a 20 percent rating effective from that date. The radiculopathy of his lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, hearing loss, PTSD, hypertensive vascular disease, and vision problems associated with diabetes mellitus.