PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DM2, heart disorder, hypertension, blindness, stroke residuals, and an acquired mental disorder other than PTSD, were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims. The Board found that there is no credible evidence of active service in Vietnam or any other period of war.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 4, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment. A TDIU was also denied as there were no indications of inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

An effective date of August 6, 2010 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.,A 30 percent rating for GERD beginning May 30, 2017 is granted. The Veteran's earlier claim to reopen service connection for GERD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent since May 11, 2009 and the Board finds that his condition will continue to be permanently disabling.

The Board has decided that another VA examination is necessary to assess whether the Veteran meets the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is due to an in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist condition and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depression, but has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been reopened, but the criteria for service connection have not been met. The Veteran is granted a rating of 30 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity effective January 20, 2015.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to April 23, 2013, finding that the Veteran's symptoms warranted this level of disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow gainful employment prior to September 17, 2015.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's PTSD, testicular cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II are not granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right hip disabilities, hearing loss, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's appeals are also remanded for development in relation to his service connection for respiratory disorders and hypertension.

The Veteran's representative indicated that the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) satisfies an appeal for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for higher disability ratings for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD, or if it was caused by these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30% since April 2013. The Board has granted a 50% rating for the entire appeal period, effective from the date of service connection.

The appeal for an earlier effective date of PTSD is dismissed. The appeal for CUE in the October 2004 rating decision is denied.

The claims for service connection of PTSD, hypertension, and low back disability have been reopened. The claims for hemorrhoids and head injury remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and PTSD. The Veteran was not found to have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions during the appeal period.