PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ED, RA, sinusitis, fibromyalgia, IBS, a skin disorder of the face, and bicep disabilities. The exposure basis is attributed to Gulf War service.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease was denied.,The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted with an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and anxiety disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the symptoms associated with his anxiety disorder do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, specifically anti-social depressive disorder. The VA must obtain a medical opinion and any SSA records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the case for further development regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.,An effective date earlier than April 2, 2012 is denied for the awards of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD and a 20 percent evaluation for shell fragment wound, right ulnar nerve.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they were found to be similar in severity and frequency to those associated with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is rated at an initial 70 percent disability evaluation. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment but not total impairment.

Service connection for COPD is granted. An increased rating for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and PTSD) is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, Adjustment disorder with depressed mood, Depressive disorder, and Anxiety as there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that the Veteran does not have a current disability that began during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining additional VA or private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective February 1, 2016. The Board has restored the 100% rating as there is evidence of actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% effective from March 29, 2019. The rating was granted as the condition exhibited occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's motion for an earlier effective date for IHD was dismissed.,The claim to reopen the erectile dysfunction and SMC loss of use of a creative organ claims, as well as the right knee disability claims, is denied.,The claim to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim is denied. The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to support this claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was reopened based on new evidence showing noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 24, 2003 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The issue of whether the effective date was CUE is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 2, 2011 for the assignment of a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was received on that date and it is determined that within one year prior to this date there was no increase in severity of his service-connected PTSD.