PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus has been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence that his tinnitus began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 100% rating effective July 26, 2017. The issues of increased ratings for bilateral metatarsalgia and hypertension are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred, and medical evidence did not support a causal nexus between current symptomatology and a claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor for PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and depression, but there is no independent evidence corroborating his statement as to the occurrence of his claimed stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD disability was restored to a 50% rating, and the effective date for this restoration is May 1, 2019. The claim for an earlier effective date for the reduction of the PTSD rating from 50% to 30% is dismissed.

The Veteran’s appeal is remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected conditions, as well as additional evidence regarding his claims. The appeals are not related to a presumption or exposure basis.

The Veteran's effective date for service connection of peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities is set at November 3, 2015.,Increased ratings were denied for both lower extremity peripheral neuropathies.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an effective date of March 20, 2014.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied.,A rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied.,TDIU from October 8, 2018 to present is granted.,The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prior to August 8, 2017 is remanded.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, is remanded.,Service connection for COPD and lung cancer are remanded.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are remanded.,TDIU prior to October 8, 2018 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims of a higher initial rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, an appropriate VA examination, and further analysis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for diabetic polyuria was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD was also denied, with the Board noting that the Veteran’s PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment but without more severe manifestations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for sleep apnea and bruxism, as well as TDIU. The initial rating claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% for the period prior to December 11, 2009. A TDIU was granted for this period as well.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has denied an evaluation in excess of this rating. The Veteran also appealed for TDIU but was denied.

Service connection is granted for residuals of paratyphoid, PTSD, and skin cancer removal scars. Service connection is denied for hypertension, tremors, and a bilateral foot disorder.,The Veteran's hypertension may be service connected if found to be aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to February 2, 2018 and denied for a higher rating. As of February 2, 2018, the Veteran's condition was also denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD from August 15, 2017 to February 9, 2018 was rated at 50 percent and denied a higher rating.,From February 9, 2018, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent and also denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating prior to June 30, 2016. The Board denied both his claim for a higher disability rating and his TDIU claim based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his stressor claims.