PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal of PTSD service connection is dismissed. The Board has also found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, is already service-connected and does not require a separate claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating from September 28, 2015 to June 8, 2016. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 50% prior to September 28, 2015 and the claim for TDIU prior to June 9, 2016 are both remanded.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease was granted a 30% rating prior to June 7, 2019 and a 60% rating on and thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to June 9, 2016 is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to in-service noise exposure from military vehicles.,The Veteran's skin disability, including psoriasis and skin cancer, is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to in-service herbicide agent exposure or other service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to in-service stressors or his service-connected skin disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted as incurred during service. Raynaud's syndrome of both hands and respiratory disorders are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied service connection for Antisocial Personality Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied in 2009, and the decision became final. The Veteran attempted to reopen his claim on February 10, 2012, but he did not perfect an appeal before that date. Therefore, the effective date cannot be prior to February 10, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to October 2010, reflecting significant impairment but not total disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased initial evaluation of 70 percent, effective from March 13, 2015. A separate TBI evaluation is also granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 13, 2015 forward is granted.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with alcohol abuse is now rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the May 2009 rating decision. The Veteran also meets the schedular requirements for individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and whether it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and sleep apnea; an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis with tendinosis; an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD; and an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 3, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent since then for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

For the period from February 1, 2008 to November 7, 2018, a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted. For the period from November 7, 2018 onward, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to warrant a higher than 70 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD due to a lack of recent VA examination, and ordered additional development.

An increased rating of 20 percent for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome prior to May 2, 2017 has been granted.,A request for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left hand CTS from May 2, 2017 onwards is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD features have been rated at 50 percent prior to October 29, 2016. The Board has determined that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded all reopened service connection claims for accrued benefits purposes due to the need for additional records and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include cause of death, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD and depressive disorder, bowel condition, and Parkinson’s disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, a renal disability (presumably a kidney condition), an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and sinusitis due to unclear service connection determinations and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's exposure is not presumed based on herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, insomnia, and anger issues. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD are supported by a VA examiner's opinion linking the in-service stressors to his symptoms.