PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a total schedular rating throughout the appeal period. The claim for a separate compensable rating for service-connected residuals of the left varicocele repair (other than scarring) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has decided to remand both his claim for an increased rating and his TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence of current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from the Savannah Vet Center.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the 30 percent evaluation of service-connected chronic headaches, but the Board finds no evidence that his condition worsened within a year prior to September 26, 2014.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for the 50 percent evaluation of service-connected PTSD. The Board similarly finds no evidence that his condition worsened within a year prior to September 26, 2014.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the right fifth finger fracture and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, adjustment disorder, and PTSD.

Your appeals for increased ratings for PTSD with depression and diabetes have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits, finding that no earlier factually ascertainable date of entitlement existed before June 16, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective January 9, 2017. The decision is based on the VA medical examination of record and a statement from Dr. E.P., which noted functional limitations in a worklike setting due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to new and relevant evidence, and the claim is now granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Migraine Headaches, Allergic Rhinitis, Sleep Disorder, and Fatigue due to new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records. The AOJ should also consider a secondary service connection claim for anxiety as related to his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee injury is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder condition is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service event, injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for intestinal problems is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

For the period between October 9, 2014 and September 25, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,From September 26, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervicitis was previously denied in September 2004 and has not been reopened.,High cholesterol is not a disability for VA compensation purposes, thus the claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depression) is remanded. The examiner should determine if her current diagnosis of depression is related to active duty service or service-connected PTSD and/or asthma.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heavy menstrual bleeding is remanded. The examiner should determine if the Veteran has a currently diagnosed condition that is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or more) due to her active military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypothyroidism and bilateral eye disability are both remanded. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service or service-connected PTSD/asthma, respectively.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability is also remanded. The examiner should determine if her current condition is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or more) caused by her service-connected asthma.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity during the period from September 14, 2010 to February 10, 2013. He experienced symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired judgment, disturbances in motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships.