PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are granted a rating of 100 percent for the entire period on appeal. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to lack of verification of herbicide exposure, while the hearing loss claim requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression is remanded. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM) is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted TDIU benefits due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination for PTSD, and providing another VA Form 21-8940 to determine TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified neurocognitive disorder and unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 23, 2015 for the award of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim was pending due to new and material evidence received within one year of a previous denial.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 11, 2012 for service connection of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Veteran's claim was reopened and denied multiple times before the final denial in September 2013. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran after the previous denials.

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations and effective dates related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in July 2009 and reopened on July 25, 2016. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at July 25, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, as new and material evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Veteran experienced a verified in-service stressor event involving actual or threatened death or serious injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and an increased rating for PTSD with MDD and anxious distress were denied. The claim for service connection was not reopened, while the increased rating claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his application for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran's renal cancer, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and insomnia), peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD are presumed to be related to his service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The cause of death is also presumed to be related to the Veteran's service-connected renal cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his PTSD is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The TDIU issue is also deferred until further assessment of the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, urinary tract infections, and tinnitus) do not prevent her from obtaining suitable employment. She has a combined rating of 90% and is currently employed in an occupation consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while male sterility, skin condition (claimed as lesions on back), ischemic heart disease, nose cancer, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder and PTSD), gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), and stomach ulcer are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD has been dismissed because she withdrew her notice of disagreement. She was granted a 70% disability rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder in October 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD were granted a 100% disability rating, effective December 29, 2015. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of Meniere's disease was dismissed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues, including the claims for higher ratings for various conditions and a TDIU. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.