PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and thyroid disorder/Hashimoto's disease were denied. The claim for PTSD was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for chronic sinusitis as there is no evidence that the condition began during or soon after military service. Thyroid disorder/Hashimoto's disease was found to be current but without a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disorders during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder is granted a 60% rating, effective March 10, 2009. The Veteran's PTSD and depression are granted a 70% rating from September 22, 2015. The right wrist disability claim has been reopened but not yet decided. The low back disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired mental health disability (PTSD, anxiety and adjustment disorder) qualifies him for the maximum educational assistance benefit level of 100 percent under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be returned to the RO with instructions to obtain updated treatment records and request a supplemental opinion from the examiner who provided the March 2016 VA opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The claim for an increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome was denied as the current disability rating is already at its maximum allowed under VA guidelines. For PTSD, the claim was also denied as there was no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for asthma and mixed restrictive / obstructive lung disease, as well as PTSD, were denied because there was no evidence of a service connection. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to military service or exposure.

This decision denies service connection for spina bifida and migraines, but grants effective dates earlier than January 10, 2004 for abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting and PTSD. The rating for abdominal pain is remanded, as is the rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's restrictive ventilatory defect is granted an initial 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's PTSD prior to September 20, 2016, is granted a 50 percent disability rating. The Veteran's PTSD from September 20, 2016, is denied in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was part of his initial claims for service connection, and he is now in receipt of a TDIU since January 21, 2010.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymia/depressive and anxiety disorders, is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is about the initial compensable rating for fibromyalgia. The Board has decided to remand this issue due to new evidence and a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been denied. The RO has assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10% for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, hip disabilities, ankle disabilities, sleep apnea, inguinal hernia, psychiatric disorders, and dyslipidemia. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The reduction of the evaluation from 70 percent to 50 percent for service-connected PTSD was proper, and the criteria for restoring a 70 percent disability rating have not been met. The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) on schedular basis prior to January 1, 2015, and on an extraschedular basis thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (other than major depression) is granted. The rating for his major depression is denied, as are the ratings for his back and lower extremity radiculopathy issues. His left thumb scar also remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including a lack of a diagnosis and an incomplete medical record. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional information and records.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD, maintaining the current 30 percent disability rating.