PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The petition to reopen the claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and left elbow disorder is granted. The claim of service connection for PTSD is allowed as new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors. The claims for hearing loss and left elbow disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder (PTSD) is rated at 30 percent, effective March 17, 2015. The Board denied a higher initial rating for PTSD, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. An earlier effective date for service connection was also denied due to lack of timely claim filing within one year of discharge from service. TDIU was granted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran did not perfect his appeal of the August 2005 rating decision denying PTSD, and thus the original denial remains final.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other specified trauma-and-stressor related disorders. The decision also grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension, but remands these issues due to the need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone do not necessitate regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has experience in a sedentary occupation like customer service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not present during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to military noise exposure.,Hypertension was not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was related to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran's current hypertension is attributed to his smoking habit, age, and lack of exercise.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was reopened and granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective February 10, 2018.,Bruxism remains under review as new evidence has been received.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of ED as secondary to PTSD due to lack of a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for Hepatitis C due to incomplete development of his claims. The Veteran was not provided with all necessary information regarding his in-service stressors and VA treatment records were not obtained.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include depression, was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to August 14, 2017. The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the period prior to August 14, 2017.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent, as they were consistent with the symptoms associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and their relationship to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all service-connected conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding its relationship to his combat service.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder including sarcoidosis, presumed due to herbicide exposure, is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected trauma and stressor-related disorder (claimed as PTSD) is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board has ordered a remand for an examination to assess the current severity of her disability, which presents with symptoms such as suicidal ideation, anxiety attacks, extreme hypervigilance, and depression.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment. The Veteran also did not meet the requirements for a TDIU as his other service-connected condition (tinea cruris and pedis) does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to January 5, 2015. As of that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.