PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, lumbar spine and bilateral knee conditions, PTSD, and mallet right 5th finger condition, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these combined disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD, which is linked to his in-service stressor (personal assault). Service connection is also granted for migraines as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition (including post-traumatic stress disorder) is found to be related to in-service stressors.,There is no current diagnosis of vertigo, so the claim must be denied.,The right shoulder disability and hepatitis C are not service-connected due to lack of evidence indicating a connection to service.,Headaches are not service-connected as there is no indication that they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her service-connected PTSD is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since March 2012. The Board found that the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 1, 2016, finding that he was engaged in substantially gainful employment at a paper mill until then.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to errors in previous examinations and diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension, as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 15, 2012. The Board granted a higher rating to 70%, effective from the date of the May 2013 decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent disabling from January 28, 2010. The lumbosacral strain is rated at 100 percent disabling from the same date. Effective January 28, 2010, the Veteran also receives a 100 percent rating for his service-connected PTSD and SMC based on housebound.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 50 percent effective August 11, 2010. The Board found that the symptoms more closely approximated the 50 percent criteria for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military activity during his service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include sleep disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the April 2019 VA examination. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional treatment records from various sources.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, has been reopened. However, the Board denied the claim as there is no probative medical nexus between active service and the current disabilities.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The Veteran also appealed for SMC, and this issue is inextricably intertwined with the rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and incomplete verification of claimed stressors. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for his diagnosed conditions, and any outstanding treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant social and occupational impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating.