PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was attributed to his liver cancer, which is linked to Hepatitis C. The Board is remanded to determine if the Veteran’s PTSD may have contributed to or exacerbated his heroin use, leading to his Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for service-connected hypertension, PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, gouty arthritis of the ring and little finger on the right hand, prostate cancer (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for gouty arthritis of the ring and little finger on the right hand is remanded. The claims for service connection for carcinoma of the prostate (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 20, 2017 for service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The claims for service connection for prostate cancer (previously claimed), sleep apnea syndromes, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus type II are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variably diagnosed as PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression. The case is remanded to consider the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, have rendered him unemployable due to physical impairments. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, nerve disorder, PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee strain, right knee strain, and PTSD are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to include PTSD, bilateral secretory otitis media, and left knee strain has been granted. The Veteran is found to have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors, a current diagnosis of bilateral secretory otitis media with no evidence linking it to service, and a current diagnosis of left knee strain that may be linked to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to further development of evidence and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent since the entire rating period on appeal, with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as anger, chronic sleep problems, isolation, and irritability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and gout due to incomplete information provided by the VA examiners.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted. The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are each rated at 10 percent, effective July 1, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain is rated at 10 percent, effective February 23, 2016. The Veteran's service-connected right ankle arthritis is rated at 20 percent, effective February 23, 2016. The Veteran's scar, right ankle, TBI, and migraine headaches are not granted increased ratings.

The Board dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD with insomnia disorder because it was not before the Board and rendered moot.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 50 percent level, reflecting occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has other nonservice-connected disabilities that limit his ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder from March 21, 2012, to August 23, 2015 is denied.,The Veteran's claims to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and an increased evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder between December 1 and 31, 2015 are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for varicose veins in his left leg is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for varicose veins in his right leg is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted a 10% disability evaluation on an extraschedular basis, and the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities does not warrant referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his employment history and records from the unemployment office in Illinois. The decision on TDIU will be deferred until the other claims are resolved.