PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, obsessive compulsive behavior, depression, mood disorder, suicidal tendencies and anxiety was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, PTSD and depression, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, left ankle DJD, lumbar spine strain, right Osgood-Schlatter’s syndrome, rhinitis, and right elbow laceration scar have all been denied. The claim for service connection for PTSD and depression has been reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his symptoms do not necessitate such assistance. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of current rating criteria and failure to consider evidence post-dating 1988 that may warrant a higher initial rating. The Veteran's mental disabilities must be evaluated under all applicable rating criteria, including older criteria in effect prior to February 3, 1988.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's hypertension is secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The VA examiner's opinion was deemed inadequate as it did not consider all relevant evidence, including a study linking PTSD and cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a chronic disability to account for leg cramps has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest schedular rating of 100 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD is dismissed as the September 2011 decision granting service connection and assigning a 70 percent rating effective October 18, 2010, became final.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits is denied because he was not entitled to them prior to May 12, 2015. The effective date of the grant of DEA benefits is therefore May 12, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 12, 2015 is denied because he was not unemployable in that time period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with Persistent Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Cannabis Use Disorder is rated at 70 percent effective July 11, 2019. A TDIU is granted. The rating for Right Knee Tendonitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was restored to a 70 percent disability rating, effective August 1, 2017. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, coronary artery disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating and TDIU due to PTSD with alcohol dependence, as new evidence suggests an increase in severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressors. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the issues of right eye disability and left eye disability, as well as hypertension, are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and PTSD due to a lack of verification of stressors. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about any other medical providers who have treated him.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right wrist disability and IBS, as well as the effective dates for PTSD and DEA benefits, have been dismissed.