PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

An effective date of July 1, 2008, is granted for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD.,An effective date of July 1, 2008, is also granted for the award of TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for treatment purposes under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for multiple conditions including right shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back pain, restless leg syndrome, headaches (cephalalgia), chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The character of the appellant's discharge from his period of service was found to be a bar to VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted effective March 6, 2019. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is also granted with a higher level of SMC from July 31, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Board cannot review the same decision. The issues of service connection for mild degenerative disc disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and drug abuse are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran was granted service connection for migraine headaches, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability. The claim for erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not show a relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD based on a corroborated stressor event in service, and the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability other than PTSD found.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and reopening of a previously denied claim for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder with opioid use disorder in full remission, but denied service connection for PTSD. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's anxiety and opioid use disorder are related to his military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for DJD of the lumbar spine and PTSD have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.,Specifically, the Veteran’s DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent from January 24, 2012 through June 12, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent since June 13, 2019. His PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 24, 2012 through June 5, 2013, and in excess of 70 percent since June 6, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to October 18, 2018. After October 18, 2018, the rating remains at 50 percent. The claim for a higher initial rating and an increased rating after October 18, 2018, was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD and MDD are service-connected. The case needs further examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and associated disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, gastritis, obstructive sleep apnea, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The July 26, 2011 rating decision granting service connection was not found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD has not manifested by total occupational and social impairment during the appeal period, so a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The remaining issues, including PTSD, sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, back disability, skin cancer, and kidney stones (claimed as kidney stones), are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed because the representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Appellant's application to reopen her claim for service connection of the Veteran’s death, but denied the claim itself due to lack of evidence showing that his hearing loss or PTSD was a contributing cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, effective dates, and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development or clarification of certain issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The cases of bilateral hearing loss and TBI are remanded due to insufficient evidence.