PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment in most areas from July 21, 2013 to July 26, 2015. The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for this period.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding that such conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for skin cancer was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.,Service connection for PTSD was granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected dorso-lumbar spine disability and PTSD. The main issues are a higher initial rating for the spinal condition, an increased rating for PTSD, and clarification of the effective date for the 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS is currently rated at 50 percent and the Board has denied a higher rating. The claim for an earlier effective date was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion regarding his PTSD claim. The examiner will assess whether the Veteran has PTSD, its etiology, and if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being associated with the claims file, as well as a need for a new VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claims for PTSD, a separate acquired psychiatric disorder (to include schizophrenia), hypertension, and right-side paresis have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, claimed as PTSD, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for stressor verification.

The Veteran's claim for a toe disorder is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for bilateral eye disorder characterized as myopia and astigmatism was previously denied in March 2012, and the claim cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The effective date for service connection for PTSD is denied because VA did not receive a formal or informal claim within one year after separation from service. The claim was received on March 4, 2016.,The effective date for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied as the Veteran did not submit a formal or informal claim prior to March 4, 2016.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain was previously denied in March 2012 and cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, effective from the date of separation from active duty.,The Veteran's claims for anxiety and tinnitus are denied as they were not received within one year after separation from service. The Board grants an effective date of September 5, 2013, for these conditions.,Service connection for left hand disability, right hand disability, right leg disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a stomach condition require further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD and TDIU ratings prior to February 16, 2015 due to incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide additional information regarding his employment status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims of PTSD, right leg radiculopathy, left leg radiculopathy, and diabetes. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and inadequate examination for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also received a grant for total disability based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD.