PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD preexisted service and worsened during active service. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but the claim for chronic pain condition is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension to include as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DMII, and IHD. The remand requires a new VA examination with an updated opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran’s claim is denied as the RO did not contain clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for residuals of left rib fracture. The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 10 percent for his service-connected TBI, but no higher. His claims for increased ratings for PTSD and Crohn's disease are denied. An earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for Crohn's disease is also denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date because he did not file a timely substantive appeal within 60 days of receiving the SOC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of sedentary employment despite his diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Depression should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and its relationship to military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, thyroid condition, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of breast reduction surgery, and service connection for morphea scleroderma due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA outpatient records, a new VA examination, and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and for additional information regarding his TDIU claim.

The appeal for service connection of PTSD and tinea cruris (claimed as jungle rot and skin rash) is dismissed. The appeal for service connection of erectile disorder, secondary to PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since April 17, 2018. The TDIU claim was denied as the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension cases are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's dermatitis and PTSD were granted initial ratings, with the dermatitis receiving a 10% rating for certain periods and PTSD receiving a 70% rating since May 16, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,Service connection for heart disability (IHD, arrhythmia, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) to include as due to herbicide exposure is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus and PTSD from January 24, 2013 to July 20, 2015, and since September 1, 2015, is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, and he is being asked to undergo a new examination to determine the current severity of his condition. Additionally, his TDIU claim is also remanded due to unclear physical limitations related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for postconcussion, migraine, and tension headaches as well as a permanent total disability rating for PTSD due to outstanding medical records not being obtained.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted from September 30, 2015 to October 28, 2016.,The claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened due to new evidence provided by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activities while deployed in Somalia. Therefore, service connection is granted. The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded and his claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities are also remanded.