PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD has been withdrawn. The cases of gout, dermatitis, and a higher rating for PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for several reasons, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and addressing issues related to service connection, increased evaluation, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and PTSD, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, were denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for fibromyalgia (40%), but not for PTSD.

The Veteran's asthma, low back disability, and PTSD are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection claims related to right total knee arthroplasty, mechanical low back pain, DJD of the right hip, right ankle disability, PTSD, erectile dysfunction (secondary to physical disabilities), and right shoulder strain (secondary to physical disabilities).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and it is not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability was granted with a 40% rating effective March 2, 2017. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating remains pending as the current rating does not meet his expectations.,The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a 50% initial rating effective March 2, 2017, with no further increase sought.,The Veteran's status post shrapnel wound to the lower left abdomen/groin with damage to the ilioinguinal nerve was not granted an increased rating as his disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on severity or incapacitating episodes.,Service connection for total disability due to service-connected disabilities was granted, but no effective date prior to March 2, 2017 is awarded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral gynecomastia, tinnitus, and chronic headaches. Service connection was granted for PTSD with a rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as he has not demonstrated total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded both his claim for a higher rating and his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity.

The Board has remanded the cases of PTSD, drug abuse as secondary to PTSD, and hypertension for additional development. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after completing the requested development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and anxiety/depression are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the right hip disability was granted. The claims for sleep disorder (claimed as Sleep Apnea) and migraine were denied, as they are not separate disabilities from PTSD and fibromyalgia. The rating for PTSD remains at 70 percent, and the rating for fibromyalgia remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder and a total disability based on individual unemployability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran before a decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his military service, specifically a reported incident of MST. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a TDIU, but the evaluations for asbestosis and PTSD remain denied.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left and right knee conditions, as well as her hip bursitis are all rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board has found that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s disabilities. However, additional evidence suggests a worsening of these conditions since the last examinations in August 2014. Therefore, the claims must be remanded for new evaluations and consideration.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, and her PTSD is granted a 70% rating. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board's June 2019 decision found the February 2010 rating decision final, but this was based on an incorrect procedural history. The Veteran continued to pursue service connection for PTSD within one year of being notified of the February 2010 rating decision.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not file a valid claim before May 31, 2014.