PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran has been rendered unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities including PTSD, cervical radiculopathy, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, and tinnitus. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD with alcohol abuse, has been reopened. The Board has also remanded the cases of OSA and TDIU due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the minimum rating sought. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for erectile dysfunction, TDIU, and peptic ulcer disease and PTSD increased rating claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting information regarding the Appellant's status as the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Board has found that the VA examinations provided to the Veteran were incomplete and remanded for further examination. The back disability claim is being remanded due to an incomplete VA examination, while the psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) claim is being remanded because of a lack of etiological analysis.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction (ED), and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation of his symptoms over the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of mad cow disease. The claims for service connection for cold injury residuals to both feet, hands, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to missing in-service hospital records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral eye disability, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for bilateral hearing loss and left eye disability. The initial rating of PTSD prior to April 27, 2017, is granted at a 70% level. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, right ankle, left hip, low back strain, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and headaches conditions as they may be related to his service-connected flat feet condition.,For the heart condition claim, a new VA examination is required due to conflicting in-service medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran during his hearing.,Additional development is required for the following issues: whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of a neck injury, service connection for sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder and service-connected sinusitis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), initial rating higher than 10 percent for right shoulder strain and rotator cuff tendonitis, initial rating higher than 10 percent for instability of the left knee, and initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee strain with meniscus repair surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from substantially gainful occupation since May 24, 2013. An earlier effective date of May 24, 2013 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and will review the claim for an increased rating of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent, effective September 15, 2015.,Effective dates prior to September 15, 2015 for service connection and increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent disabling for PTSD. The Board accepted this request and dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, GERD, and erectile dysfunction. The effective date for DEA benefits is set at May 16, 2016.