PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent evaluation for the period prior to August 26, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for sinusitis, claimed as sinusitis, has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety disorder and depression were rated at 100% from July 30, 1981 to September 30, 1983. From October 1, 1983 to July 31, 1988, the Veteran's disability warranted a rating of 70%. The Board found that the Veteran was not entitled to a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, unspecified depression disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder, was granted a 70 percent rating prior to November 7, 2017. From that date, the claim for an increased rating greater than 70 percent is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and MDD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor and insufficient evidence to establish a disease or injury in service related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify in-service stressors related to PTSD and to determine if a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, as well as bilateral hand disability, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's stressors need to be verified, and all relevant VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, back disability, bilateral pes planus, bilateral foot nerve damage, bilateral plantar fasciitis of both feet, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, due to incomplete service records and conflicting medical opinions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for earlier effective dates due to the receipt of additional relevant evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back condition, bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, left lower extremity shin splints, PTSD, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to new and material evidence.,Service connection is remanded for these conditions as further development may be required.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the neck, bilateral foot, back, or psychiatric (PTSD) conditions. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as of September 4, 2019, due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for service-connected PTSD. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD prior to September 4, 2019, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his incarceration, requiring an audiological and psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his tinnitus and mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for Meniere's disease, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, diplopia, and migraine headaches. The Veteran is to be scheduled for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to comply with remand directives. A new VA examination is required to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death and caused a cardiac disability. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, heart dysfunction and mitral regurgitation, and skin cancer were denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened but not granted due to lack of corroborated in-service stressor and no medical evidence linking the current condition to service. Service connection for heart dysfunction and mitral regurgitation and skin cancer were also denied as there is no evidence of herbicide exposure.