PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 30, 2012. The RO has granted a TDIU for the entire appeal period from March 30, 2012 to June 2, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and sleep disorder to include sleep apnea, as there is insufficient evidence of record regarding his current condition and its relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU. However, his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for loss of vision/blindness due to VA spinal surgery in December 2014 was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral heel spurs, bilateral shin splints, tinnitus, and sleep apnea were denied. The claim for PTSD was granted with an effective date of February 16, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, including his claimed PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The case is being remanded for further development to determine if any of these conditions may be related to service.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for OSTSRD is granted, but service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder) are denied. Service connection for OSA is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The effective date for the PTSD rating remains pending as it was not specified in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric claims, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the nature and onset of his current psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD due to incomplete records and lack of review after an August 2018 VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient evidence to corroborate in-service stressors and establish a nexus between current mental health conditions and service.

The Veteran's PTSD was not rated higher than 50% for the period from August 25, 2015 to June 1, 2016 and was denied a rating of more than 70% beginning June 1, 2016. The case is remanded due to new evidence submitted during the appeals process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be reviewed again with the provision of proper notification and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a current diagnosis and credible corroborating evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to October 3, 2017 and the Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has already granted service connection for PTSD with adjustment disorder and anxiety, which includes the symptoms of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. Therefore, this issue is dismissed as there are no longer any unresolved claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating from May 20, 2005 to prior to November 22, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence received since the last consideration.