PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine and PTSD/cognitive disorder disabilities are being remanded for additional evaluations due to increased symptomatology reported during his recent hearing. Updated VA treatment records and private records must be obtained, and the Veteran should undergo new VA examinations for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. However, the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records and further examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease was denied, while his claims for service connection of acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) and esophageal cancer due to herbicide exposure are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as the VA examiner did not address whether the spine disability aggravated the sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a low back condition, entitlement to increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and PTSD, and TDIU due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 21, 2011. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU effective from July 21, 2011 to July 8, 2015.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, vertigo or Meniere’s disease, insomnia, conjunctivitis, cataracts, ulcers, headaches, right-hand and left-hand disabilities, squamous cell skin cancer, cholecystitis (claimed as a gallbladder disability), colitis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disability on the back, PTSD, right knee disability, lower back disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and GERD. The claims are denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities or due to in-service exposure.

The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) with an effective date of March 1, 2017. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30% prior to April 13, 2017. Since then, his disability has been characterized by total occupational and social impairment due to dementia. Effective from April 13, 2017, a 100% rating for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD has been granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development and examination, including for radiculitis, PTSD, and wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various psychiatric, digestive, musculoskeletal, and skin conditions claimed by the Veteran. The claims will be reviewed again after these examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to additional VA treatment records being added to the claims file. The case will be remanded if no waiver is received within 45 days.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is not ready for appellate consideration due to the need to resolve an issue associated with a prior reduction in rating. The case is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in November 2008 and not appealed. The effective date of the current grant of service connection for PTSD is June 10, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and neuropathy of his extremities, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective September 4, 2019. This rating is granted as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence, including a stressful in-service incident that was not previously considered.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have been rated at 70 percent since June 15, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms of PTSD do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The AOJ has been instructed to obtain private treatment records from the Veteran's private psychiatrist.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis, an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, service connection for allergic rhinitis, and service connection for sinusitis.