PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for high blood pressure has been withdrawn.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and no evidence linking it to in-service stressors or any other injury, event, or disease.,Service connection for PVD is denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and service exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's history of smoking is also considered.,Service connection for a skin rash is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to in-service events.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, visual disorder of the right eye, and visual disorder of the left eye as there is no credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressors or that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated at a 30 percent rating prior to April 14, 2015. The evaluation was increased to 50 percent from April 15, 2015 to October 9, 2018 and to 100 percent as of October 10, 2018.,The appeal is remanded due to the need for further development or clarification regarding the issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in April 2019, and the RO had already granted service connection with a 70% rating effective from April 8, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts and hernia has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder), and left ear hearing loss have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left ankle sprain, lumbar degenerative arthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for Lyme disease is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a left calf disability is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for acne is denied.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,An effective date of January 3, 2012 for the grant of TDIU is granted.,The claims for a right foot disability and bruxism are remanded due to lack of medical evidence addressing these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol use disorder, right total hip replacement, diabetes mellitus type II, and peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, result in his need for the aid of another to attend to needs of daily living or to avoid hazards incident to his daily environment. The Board has ordered new examinations to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The appeal is now returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied. The earliest evidence showing that the Veteran's PTSD warranted a higher rating was dated in December 16, 2013.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to insufficient development. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 related to the chevron osteotomy remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches, shortness of breath post aggravated deviated septum, and hypertension are REMANDED. The Veteran also seeks service connection for a deviated septum and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia). These claims are referred to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since August 8, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating was denied.,The Board granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show that the Veteran was precluded from substantially gainful employment by reason of his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining clarification of stressors and verifying them, as well as providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and provide updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and TBI due to a lack of VA examinations, and requests that additional evidence be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder (formerly dysthymic disorder) effective July 9, 2010. The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date and initial rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, COPD, and PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded.