PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right foot hallux valgus, left bunionectomy with hallux valgus, and TDIU due to additional development being required.

The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee instability.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee limitation of flexion.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 10, 2014. The evidence does not show that his PTSD alone precluded employment.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also appealed for a TDIU but was denied as his disabilities do not render him incapable of employment.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hearing loss (claimed as left ear condition), PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability (diabetic retinopathy and loss of vision), and sleep disorder with fatigue. The issue of service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and kidney condition secondary to diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is granted. The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, and the kidney condition is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected DM.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and unclear symptomatology, requiring a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any PTSD, anxiety disorder, and/or adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if there is a current diagnosis of hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), or any other disability that may affect the Veteran's ability to work. The claims are also being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability.

This decision denies service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome and remands the issues of initial disability ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative disease with scoliosis, PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, a right hip condition secondary to thoracolumbar condition, a left hip condition secondary to thoracolumbar condition, and cervical strain. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not related to his military service.,PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since April 21, 2011, with no evidence of occupational and social impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD was a contributing factor to his death. The appellant needs to provide additional medical records and the VA will seek an opinion from a clinician regarding this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. A new VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has returned to work and is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

Service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted, while service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of mental disabilities, as well as TDIU. The AOJ is instructed to ensure that the Veteran attends a VA examination to assess his current severity of service-connected mental disabilities and any sleep disorder, distinguishing between symptoms related to military service and those related to post-service events.

The Board has remanded the issue due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected asbestos-related pulmonary disease contributed substantially or materially to his death from cardiac dysrhythmia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and prostate cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations and treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are rated at 10 percent each, resulting in a combined rating of 20 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for his hearing loss and found that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.