PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from February 1, 2013 to July 7, 2016 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD had improved, warranting a reduction from a 100% to a 70% disability rating effective October 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are granted in part, as they relate to his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate for the entire period on appeal. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted the appellant's application to reopen her previously denied claim of service connection for PTSD, and has determined that she meets the criteria for service connection due to a link between her in-service sexual assault and her current PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a recent PTSD stressor statement and assertions of secondary service connection for tinnitus. The VA examiner is required to determine if the current psychiatric disability is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left facial pain and swelling are granted as service-connected. The rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied, but the Veteran receives a separate 10 percent rating from October 7, 2008 to August 23, 2009. Headaches receive a 50 percent rating since October 7, 2008. PTSD remains at 70 percent and residuals of traumatic brain injury are granted with varying ratings based on the period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, upper back disability, and right shoulder disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied an effective date prior to December 20, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD due to lack of evidence showing receipt of a notice letter about the July 1971 rating decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorders (including anxiety disorder and PTSD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's PTSD caused or contributed to his COPD and death. The VA examiner did not provide opinions for parts (c) and (d) of the remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.,No effective dates are granted as all claims predate May 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there is no legal basis to award such a date. The effective date remains December 22, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of her claimed disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD was denied as the Veteran has not been diagnosed with PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper notification and for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD disability evaluation and TDIU are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, as well as a review of all available VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder and ankle degenerative joint disease on a presumptive basis due to in-service bone studies indicating arthritis. The issue of an increased rating for right knee arthritis is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since February 3, 2013. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition.,The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion considering in-service exposures and ongoing symptoms.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is being remanded as there may be an issue with verifying exposure to herbicide agents during service. The AOJ should verify whether the USS Coral Sea was within the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea of Vietnam while the Veteran was aboard.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion considering his asserted in-service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for a supplemental medical opinion addressing whether it is related to bare-skin exposure to jet fuel during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a mood disorder) is being remanded as there may be issues with verifying in-service stressors. The AOJ should attempt to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors involving witnessing the death of a fellow serviceman aboard the USS Coral Sea during the '1967 cruise'.,The Veteran's sleep apnea, hypertension, hiatal hernia, and erectile dysfunction are being remanded as secondary to his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ should attempt to obtain VA treatment records from Portland VAMC for the period between 1970 and 2002.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiological examination records, which may provide evidence of a worsening disorder.,The Veteran's ear infection disability is being remanded as there may be issues with obtaining relevant private treatment records. The AOJ should attempt to obtain these records and complete any necessary requests.