PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been dismissed because he did not file a substantive appeal. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was withdrawn and thus also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and anxiety. The claims are being returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and insomnia are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle conditions have been granted. The claim for benign cortical defect (claimed as bilateral shin splints) has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection is also denied for PTSD and sleep condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically mood disorder, is also granted as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus and residuals of hernia operation. The rating for left inguinal scar remains at 10 percent, but the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating is remanded. Tinnitus continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD and Migraine Headaches have been granted service connection, with effective dates of December 1, 2015.,A rating of 70 percent for PTSD has been granted, effective from December 1, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50% rating, but no higher. The symptoms include reduced reliability and productivity in work and social relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent disability rating prior to February 10, 2017. The Board also found that the Veteran met criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a lumbar strain.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), has been rated at 70 percent disabling from December 10, 2013 to July 1, 2014, from April 1, 2015 to May 26, 2015, and since September 1, 2015. The Veteran's disability has not resulted in total occupational or social impairment during these periods.

The Veteran's low back disability and PTSD are granted with specific ratings, but the orthopedic manifestations of his low back disability remain remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to December 9, 2014 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was also denied. The Board found that there was no evidence prior to November 1, 2011, that may be construed as an informal service-connection claim for PTSD.

The Veteran is unable to work due to his service-connected PTSD and peripheral neuropathy, which rendered him unemployable. The Board granted a TDIU for the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The cases for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is denied. The Board has remanded other service connection claims related to back, right leg, right knee, and right foot disorders as well as residuals of a TBI.

The Veteran's PTSD, characterized as anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia, is rated at 70 percent. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for breathing condition, heart condition, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, dysthymia, unspecified anxiety disorder, and general anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.