PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claims are also remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of hallux valgus and GERD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right ankle sprain was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of claim (September 8, 2010).,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to service-connected hearing loss are granted.,Secondary service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective January 19, 2018. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD because the claimed in-service stressors were not verified, and there was no credible supporting evidence of the occurrence of these events.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims need to be remanded for further review of new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to warrant a 50 percent disability rating, which is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for sleep apnea secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was received on August 5, 2016. The effective date cannot be earlier than this as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of in-service stressors and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, and anxiety will be reviewed again with additional information and medical evaluation.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% prior to March 4, 2015 and 100% thereafter. The tonsillectomy residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The lipoma excision on the left thigh does not result in any residual symptoms warranting a compensable rating. The right little finger deformity requires further examination to determine its severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability pre-existed service and was aggravated by service, or is related to an in-service stressor.

The appeal of the lumbar spine disability is dismissed, while the psychiatric disorder issue is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of multiple joints and PTSD. The issues of service connection for respiratory problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, generalized joint pain, and insomnia have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether the Veteran's current mental health condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating from March 1, 2016 to November 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and scars of the bilateral lower legs due to outdated medical evidence. A new VA examination is required to assess current symptomatology and disability ratings.