PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 50 percent. The VA examiner found no evidence of ischemic heart disease or other heart diseases related to service. Service connection for heart disease due to herbicide exposure cannot be granted as there is no presumption applicable.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 31, 2006. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and depression are service-connected, with the July 1991 in-service fight being considered to have occurred in the line of duty. The Veteran's migraine headaches and TBI are also found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's statements associating his right knee condition with service are considered cumulative.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied as there is no medical evidence showing onset during or within one year after service and the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease (CAD) effective December 22, 2014. The decision is based on the severity of CAD alone and the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and/or schizoaffective disorder, is being remanded due to inadequate examination opinions. Additional development is required to determine the etiology of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, substance abuse, and PTSD. The evidence received since the June 1999 rating decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

An initial rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted prior to April 20, 2017. Since then, a higher rating of 70 percent has been granted effective April 20, 2017.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 10 percent rating for his left foot injury has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and requested additional medical examinations.

Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities is granted. An initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, from July 23, 2007 to March 25, 2010, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, arthritis of the hips, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, a heart disorder, cold weather injuries, prostate cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

A higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD is granted from January 28, 2013 to February 14, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for upper and lower back, allergic rhinitis and/or a sinus condition, and acquired psychiatric disability to include depression, nervousness, and/or PTSD due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claim is not about service connection at all.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim, including a lack of a completed Form 21-0781 or 21-0781a. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for PTSD or other mental disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 11, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected shin splints, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The VA must obtain a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a bone spur in his left little toe. The Board also denied an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral hand disability was not granted as new and material evidence has not been received.,Moderate left carpal tunnel syndrome and mild ulnar neuropathy at the wrist and elbow were not service-connected, as they did not have their onset during active service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since May 26, 2016. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.