PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board found that the in-service stressors occurred and linked them to current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted effective July 18, 2013.

The Board has dismissed the claims of entitlement to effective dates earlier than June 7, 2016 for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and schizophrenia) is remanded for further development including a VA examination. His claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss disability remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, sleep apnea, and a dental disorder secondary to PTSD due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there is no medical nexus between his current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 23, 2017 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective January 1, 2019. Service connection for residuals of right great toe injury and hypertension are both granted. The Veteran's service connection claim for right knee condition and left knee degenerative joint disease remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including deviated septum, broken nose, loss of smell, difficulty breathing, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, depression), diverticulitis, bilateral knees, and bilateral ankles. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. He also receives a grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, left-leg residuals of broken leg, right-knee disorder, right-ankle disorder, left-ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia disorder, right-lower-extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to address the current nature and severity of the Veteran's PTSD. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 30% effective October 1, 2017. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection to include PTSD and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent since March 2, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU rating effective from March 2, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment for the rating period prior to April 19, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not timely filed, and thus he did not have a valid appeal to consider.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The decision now requires further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA medical records from Butler VAMC and Cranberry Township CBOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Dysthymic Disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to a non-combat event. The preponderance of the evidence indicated that the acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred during service.