PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 30 percent for PTSD prior to January 9, 2018. A higher rating is denied. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent beginning January 9, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically whether his service-connected PTSD caused or contributed to his metastatic colon cancer.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for a higher rating. Additionally, the Veteran raised a claim of entitlement to TDIU due to his PTSD, which also needs further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's hypertension is being evaluated as secondary to his service-connected IHD (heart disease). A psychiatric examination is needed due to the Veteran's incarceration.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding a link between his combat-related stressors and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD with sleep problems is denied, and service connection is granted for a back disability and tinnitus. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective April 3, 2015. The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU due to the lack of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to its inextricability with the pending PTSD rating reduction. The PTSD rating has been reduced from 70% to 50%, effective September 2018.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for brain tumors, seizures, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), prostate cancer, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of conditions, verification of stressors, and etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU due to a lack of recent VA examination records, as well as new evidence from his VA mental health provider. The Veteran will need to undergo another VA examination to assess the current severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for right ear hearing loss, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disability (not including PTSD) was granted. Service connection is now established for these conditions.,Further examination and review are required for the remaining issues: joint pain, muscle pain, left hand disability, right hand disability, headache disability, and fatigue.

The Veteran's right fifth metacarpal fracture and PTSD have been remanded for further evaluation. The right metacarpal fracture is currently rated as noncompensable, while the PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since June 12, 2014. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, enucleation of the right eye, and residuals of malaria, have rendered him unemployable since November 20, 2015. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim in June 2011. The rating is for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression is granted. The claim for insomnia is denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is also denied. Initial compensable ratings are granted for enterocolitis (Crohn's Disease) and anal fistula disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, squamous cell carcinoma, and sleep apnea. Service connection was denied for basal cell skin cancer and an acquired psychiatric condition (including MDD and PTSD). The Veteran's initial rating for kidney stone disability is now 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is secondary to his service-connected PTSD and residuals of right wrist fracture with chronic sprain. However, further clarification on whether these conditions caused or aggravated OSA is needed.