PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the earliest date entitlement could have arisen was multiple years after separation from service and more than one year prior to January 29, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for PTSD with major depression and herniated disc of the lumbar spine, so these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD was denied. The Veteran's depressive disorder claim was granted.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that his symptoms warrant this level of disability but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and MDD is granted, with the diagnosis of PTSD established due to a current clinical diagnosis and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor involving military sexual trauma (MST). Service connection for MDD is not addressed as it was not part of the original appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50 percent effective October 30, 2018.,A separate compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 31, 2011. His TDIU is granted from that date.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective April 2, 2014. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as the PTSD grant renders it moot. An earlier effective date for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 6, 2017. From December 6, 2017, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been reopened and granted. An initial rating of at least 10 percent for migraine headaches is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is being remanded due to insufficient details in the November 2017 VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an esophageal perforation and acquired psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to the esophageal perforation, and any other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent level, effective from the date of the Board's decision. The rating reflects significant impairment in most areas due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, and difficulty understanding complex commands.

Service connection for a bleeding prostate is denied.,Service connection for trouble swallowing is denied.,Service connection for chloracne or skin rash (dermatitis) is denied.,Service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy is denied.,An initial rating for left knee disability in excess of 10% is denied.,PTSD rating prior to August 28, 2015, and 70% thereafter (but no higher) is granted.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and PTSD symptoms do not warrant higher than the current ratings, with the case being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran's PTSD was confirmed by her private examination from September 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings of peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted with specific disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a head scar and TBI residuals was denied. Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent, effective from April 25, 2017.