PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency prior to December 7, 2014. From December 7, 2014, to April 27, 2017, the impairment was reduced reliability and productivity. As of April 28, 2017, but not earlier, the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms caused deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since the entire period on appeal, due to persistent danger of hurting others and total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of rating for shortening of the left leg.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's private treatment records are also incomplete, and additional requests for these records must be made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, Depression, Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, left knee disability, heart disability, psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and kidney disability due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There was no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions that he incurred or aggravated any of these disabilities during his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to December 20, 2018 resulted in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Since December 20, 2018, the symptoms did not result in a total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied as the effective date is set at January 5, 2017, which is when his request to reopen the previously denied claim was received.

The Board has determined that a new examination and etiological opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety and depression. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD, which manifested with impaired impulse control, unprovoked irritability, suicidal ideation, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, panic attacks, depression affecting independence, appropriate or effective function, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, warrants a 70 percent disability rating since July 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including joint pain, muscle pain, left shoulder condition, neck condition, bilateral foot condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, and respiratory condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,No current diagnoses have been established for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on her claims of increased rating for major depressive disorder with PTSD and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his anxiety disorder, which he claims as post-traumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as his symptoms are related to his in-service stressors and he has a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected PTSD is remanded and will require additional VA treatment records and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect legal standard provided to the medical examiners, and because other potential theories need to be considered. Specifically, the Court held that a service-connected disability can cause incremental increase in impairment of earning capacity from a nonservice-connected disorder, regardless of permanence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, but no higher. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 26, 2018.