PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding his in-service stressors and potential exposure to harmful substances.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and PTSD have been withdrawn by his representative. As a result, the issues are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his in-service assault. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection as his condition is not related to any incident during his military service.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has been submitted to permit reopening the issue of whether the appellant's discharge is a bar to VA benefits. The character of discharge is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD has been reopened, but the Board finds that additional development is necessary before the merits of the claim can be addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted prior to October 8, 2014 or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's cold injury to the left foot is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms such as tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,The Veteran's cold injury to the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms such as tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,The earliest date of entitlement for service connection for PTSD is July 25, 2015.,The earliest date of entitlement for service connection for tinnitus is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a left foot cold injury is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a right foot cold injury is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a right ankle fracture is October 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while his MDD received a 70% rating from March 26, 2018 onwards. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the stomach disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus has been granted a 40% disability rating effective January 28, 2016. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains unresolved and is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is warranted. However, due to the unduly remote nature of the most recent VA examination, an additional evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 70 percent disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The Board has determined that there may be relevant private treatment records from before June 29, 2017, and has instructed the AOJ to attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has decided the PTSD and TDIU claims, denying a higher rating for PTSD and granting a TDIU. The hepatitis C claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine remains at 20 percent, while a 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy beginning April 24, 2013. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's request for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled VA examination. The case will be rescheduled and a new examination will be conducted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent from May 26, 2007 to August 21, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected for purposes of accrued benefits.

The appellant's attorney withdrew the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to October 25, 2011 and granted a TDIU effective April 4, 2012. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms were found to be moderate in severity during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated as noncompensable, with the highest schedular rating for tinnitus.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including determining if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during service.