PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial rating for PTSD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 14, 2010 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. However, the case is remanded to determine if a permanent total disability rating for PTSD should be granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded one issue due to additional development being needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to recent complaints and medical treatment. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his disabilities, including PTSD.

The Veteran's narcolepsy and PTSD were granted increased ratings of 80% and 70%, respectively, effective March 25, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent, and thus remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating for the entire initial period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and will be reconsidered after further review.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his work history shows largely independent skilled labor that would not be prevented by his PTSD symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to August 22, 2017 and denied a higher rating. From August 22, 2017 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 70%. The TDIU claim from September 9, 2015 has been granted.,The right thigh liposarcoma was originally rated as 100% disabling effective September 15, 2008. In January 2014, the rating for this condition was reduced to 30%, effective April 1, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability including anxiety disorder and PTSD. The hypertension claim was denied.,Service connection is established for radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to service. A new VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but the issue of TDIU is still pending and needs to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and left-hip disorder were not granted service connection. The case is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that his symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent disability rating, but does not warrant an increase to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, heart disorder, and PTSD are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for PTSD is denied as the increase in severity of his PTSD was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to the receipt of the claim on May 22, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to unclear information regarding exposure to Agent Orange in Korea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The issue of entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder for purposes of eligibility for treatment under 38 U.S.C. § 1702 is moot as service connection has been established for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The claim for a sleep disorder secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder, a back disorder, and an increased rating for herpes progenitalis from September 30, 2014 to September 29, 2015 have been granted. The effective date is set at the filing of the claim on September 30, 2015.