PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10% evaluation, but no more. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his current sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective from August 26, 2014, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his posttraumatic stress disorder was denied, with the Board remanding the case to allow for further development.,For his left shoulder impingement syndrome and dislocation, the Veteran is being asked to provide additional evidence as he has not yet received a proper VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to July 19, 2016. The Board has remanded the issues of right lower extremity neuropathy and a pulmonary disability to include COPD claimed as the result of asbestos and chemical exposure for further development. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for a brace used for his service-connected back disability and topical medication used for his service-connected eczema in 2018, as there was no evidence that these items caused significant damage to his clothes.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for bilateral crutches used in 2018 is granted due to the wear and tear caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective August 21, 2018. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied service connection for it. The schizophrenia claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, sleep apnea, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied, and his PTSD rating prior to May 8, 2017, was also denied. For the period beginning May 8, 2017, a higher rating of 70% for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia and fatigue is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The effective date of TDIU was granted on July 21, 2016.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 24, 2014 and increased to 30 percent effective from February 24, 2014. Effective October 19, 2016, the Veteran is now rated at 70 percent for his PTSD.,The Veteran's PTSD was characterized by occupational and social impairment with intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to October 19, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD as the in-service stressor sufficient to cause the Veteran's current PTSD has not been verified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety has been reopened, and the Board has granted this claim. The diagnosis of PTSD is attributed to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremity. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all issues except the psychiatric disorder, which was dismissed due to lack of appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, are caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches. The Veteran is asked to provide additional private treatment records and for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.,The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 10, 2019 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied. The Board finds that his hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation before this date.