PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for PTSD has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent initially, but the Board granted a 50 percent rating based on reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional consideration of the expanded record, including VA treatment records and a May 2019 PTSD examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD (formerly depression disorder) is being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder that may be present, including PTSD.

The Veteran's right foot calcaneal spur is rated as moderate, and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,Service connection for PTSD was granted on February 5, 2013 with no effective date prior to that decision.,Grants of service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints were also granted on February 5, 2013 with no effective dates prior to that decision.,The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature of his current condition.,An evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.,Evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with shin splints are also remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his residual scar from left shoulder surgery is denied. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the possibility of unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in a previous decision, but he filed a new claim on April 26, 2013. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 26, 2013, as this was when VA received his application to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling since September 17, 2012. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claim was not based on previously unadjudicated evidence and that the STRs were not relevant to the matter at issue.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, dissociative disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, finding that the Veteran did not engage in combat during active duty service and there was no verified or verifiable stressor. The Board also found that any diagnosed psychiatric disorders were not related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been reopened, but the case is remanded to determine if OSA is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating prior to July 8, 2013. A higher rating for PTSD beginning July 8, 2013 is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's metastatic malignant melanoma and its relation to service, including Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity since December 2, 2014. A rating of 50 percent is granted for PTSD beginning from that date.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, as well as a right knee condition. The Board dismissed these claims.

The claim to reopen the service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted. PTSD and major depressive disorder are granted, but with remand for increased rating evaluations. The claims for TBI and migraine headaches are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease and a respiratory disorder are both denied.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development of evidence regarding his in-service assault and head injury, as well as his psychological conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for further investigation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, TBI, and migraines render her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint disabilities of the back is reopened. The appeal remains pending with respect to his claims for PTSD and a low back disability, which are both remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been rated at 100 percent disabling, which renders the issue of TDIU moot as it no longer meets the criteria for a separate disability rating.