PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The appeal with respect to disequilibrium and bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. Service connection for PTSD was granted, but the rating for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during his deployment in Eastern Africa.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU due to PTSD was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to November 12, 2015, or after that date. Additionally, the Veteran was not found to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeals for various issues, including service connection claims and evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 2016 for the award of a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, right knee degenerative changes with a musculoligamentous strain, left ankle strain with mild DJD, and right ankle strain with mild DJD are remanded.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, are related to his service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed as he withdrew his claim. The Board also remanded the issues of initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with depressive symptoms and service connection for GERD as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his migraines, major depressive disorder with anxious distress (PTSD, anxiety disorder, memory loss), and traumatic brain injury. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other issues.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, macular scars, rheumatoid arthritis, osteopenia, and a bilateral knee condition due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further examination on the issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to service.

The Veteran's ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities were each increased to 40 percent effective September 11, 2017. The rating for the period prior to September 11, 2017 remains on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD and PTSD, but has remanded the claims for tinea versicolor, migraine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD).,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected, related to an in-service helicopter jump accident. The psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) is denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service.,Ratings for left ankle, knee, and foot disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as PTSD) are being remanded for further examination and opinion.,Specifically, the VA examiners will need to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's child is granted retroactive Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits for educational expenses incurred from August 2010 to July 2014, as his eligibility date was more than one year before the initial rating decision establishing a permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of service connection for various disabilities remain pending and need to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating since the grant of service connection, effective January 17, 2008. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.