PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,Specifically, the Board is seeking additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The heart disability claim is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally denied. The Board also found that the Veteran had not provided sufficient evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new examination due to his testimony of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include major depressive disorder, and for a higher rating for PTSD has been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was set at August 13, 2007, with a 10 percent rating assigned. A later 30 percent rating was granted on March 28, 2014.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 28, 2012 for a 70% evaluation for PTSD. The Veteran's symptoms were found to have increased on that date and warrant the higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from October 22, 2002 to September 20, 2007 and granted. The appeal for a higher rating beyond this period is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain. He argues that the VA examiner and VA failed to recognize findings from a private consultation, which documented more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service connection of PTSD, finding that the preponderance of evidence was against the claim and thus denying it.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied, while his PTSD is granted a 70% rating from August 2011 onwards. The decision on hypertension is based on the lack of service connection and no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several knee and spine disabilities, as well as his PTSD and depressive disorder have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder prior to October 28, 2016, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter for persistent depressive disorder and PTSD; a higher rating for lumbar spine chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability; and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension has been granted. The effective date is not specified as it was received after September 15, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded for a new examination to determine if it warrants an even higher rating. The effective date of this increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the July 2014 decision. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Diabetes Mellitus, Type II is denied as his condition does not require regulation of activities.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyshidrotic eczema has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board will remand this issue for further development.,The Veteran's PTSD claim remains in remand status, as a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his condition since the last examination in 2012.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction (ED) claim remains in remand status. A VA examination is needed to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and whether he has dyshidrotic eczema on his hands that may be related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyshidrotic eczema (including of the hands) remains in remand status. A VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to Agent Orange exposure, Gulf War Syndrome, or a pre-existing condition.,The Veteran's TDIU claim remains in remand status as his PTSD symptoms have resulted in his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.