PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depression, is denied as there was no in-service disease or injury that caused the current conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's alcohol use disorder and PTSD are not service-connected, with the former being denied secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30%.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating. The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development, including a VA mental health examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for an updated diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected PTSD prior to January 18, 2007.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were restored to a 30 percent rating, effective February 5, 2016. Other ratings remained unchanged.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left shoulder strain claims are granted. The increased rating for the left shoulder strain claim is denied, but the service connection claims for diastasis recti, umbilical hernia, sleep disorder (including insomnia and loss of sleep), and posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling for the period prior to December 31, 2010. For the period from December 31, 2010, a 70 percent rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and TDIU was denied.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for PTSD because the new evidence submitted was not considered new and material, as it was cumulative and redundant. The Veteran's allegations were previously found to be untrue by the Board in April 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his ability to maintain personal care and hygiene, work, and family relationships.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied, and the claim for individual unemployability is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is being remanded due to the lack of VA medical records and potential need for further development including obtaining private medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the cases of tinnitus and psychiatric disability (claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder). The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, PTSD, and obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of July 14, 2005.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for left arm and hand numbness was denied. An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for an increased rating in the Veteran’s lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging.,An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,An effective date of March 13, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for right arm nerve impingement. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,A rating of more than 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging since January 2, 2017, and a rating of more than 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy since January 2, 2017, were denied.,A rating of 30 percent for GERD since March 13, 2017, and a rating of 50 percent for PTSD since March 13, 2017, were granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the RO has scheduled a VA examination to reassess his condition. However, there are issues with notification of the examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual employability were all denied. The right fifth metatarsal fracture was rated at 20 percent, PTSD at 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that his underlying cause of death (respiratory arrest due to pneumonia and cerebral hemorrhage) was not related to service or a service-connected disability.