PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss and headaches were not found to be service-connected. The rating for PTSD was denied, but a higher rating of 50% was granted from November 15, 2010 to September 8, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including G6PD, hematuria, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, sleep apnea, acid reflux, hyperlipidemia, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, bilateral knee scars, and major depressive disorder. The remand includes obtaining missing VA treatment records, scheduling examinations for the Veteran's depression, knees, elbows, and lumbar strain conditions, and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity), left elbow post-surgical scars, PTSD, right elbow disability, and right knee chondromalacia have all been denied.,No effective date has been established for any of the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Nightmare Disorder do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection for a left knee disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains pending.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,The Veteran's left wrist disability, sleep apnea, headaches, and hypertension are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% rating, and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities as well as a chronic cough have also been granted. Service connection for colon polyps and dermatitis was denied.

The Veteran's PTSD disability, both prior to and after February 26, 2018, has been rated at 50 percent. The rating is granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 28, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to a stressor from military sexual trauma (MST) during her service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 10, 2003, the day after his discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the diagnosis of PTSD and the need for a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with PTSD (also claimed as insomnia) is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted at a 50% rating, and since January 4, 2017, he is now rated at 70%. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms have worsened since then. Other issues related to radiculopathy of the lower extremities and right paracentral disc protrusion L5-S1 are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for retrieval of Veteran's Vet Center records from December 2008 to determine if they contain information relevant to earlier effective dates for PTSD, TDIU, and DEA.