PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and medical records. The Veteran is also not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Veteran's PTSD and COPD claims have been denied as the evidence does not support higher disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective April 14, 2013. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Schizoaffective Disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service in Iraq.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for TBI with post-concussion syndrome is remanded due to inadequate VA examination. The claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability remains pending and requires issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service. The VA examiner needs to reconcile these findings and provide a clear opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sickle cell anemia has been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or superimposed disease.,The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for various disabilities, including blurred vision, hearing loss, and PTSD with memory loss, are remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, service connection for neurobehavioral effects to include as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune, and initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Veteran's service treatment records from his time in the Marines are requested, along with any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for postoperative residuals of a cerebral artery aneurysm, to include a cerebrovascular accident; bilateral eye disorders, to include photophobia; and peripheral neuropathy are remanded. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, pulmonary tuberculosis, and tinnitus, are so severe that they preclude him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left ankle and foot disabilities, low back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since his retirement in July 2016. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened, but his claim for bronchial asthma remains denied. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disability renders him unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of sand mites was denied, and his PTSD with mood disorder and polysubstance abuse received a 30% initial rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia, as well as his numbness and tingling in the extremities and low back disability, are being remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records from Dr. Hunt.